Flu Season Nearly Here

Friday, October 12, 2007 03:58 AM

Prince George, B.C. - When the flu vaccine is available this fall, it will carry the oomph to battle two "A" strains of influenza, the "A" Wisconsin strain, and the "A" Soloman Islands strain plus the added "B" strain which is the Malaysia strain.

"Generally, we see more 'A' type flus to start off the season and the 'B' strain shows up later in the season" says Dr David Bowering, the Chief Medical Officer for Northern Health.

Last year vaccine was in short supply and the flu shots weren't given out until the end of the first week of November, that was the earliest date that could be confirmed there would be enough vaccine available. "We had a relatively quiet year last year when it comes to cases of flu" says Bowering, and since there was a shortage of vaccine Bowering says it would seem that last year "The Gods cooperated".

There haven't been any signs of the flu making the rounds yet. Dr. Bowering says they have a pretty good system of detecting the arrival of the season. "When physicians apply to the medical services plan for payment for office visits, they have to indicate the reason for the visit. The system keeps track of each time and place that the reason is listed as 'flu type symptoms'. The last report I had was just last week, and so far, there hasn't been any indication that there have been more reports of flu type symptoms than normal ."

Every year Northern Health provides free vaccines to specific risk groups, like those over the age of 65, those with respiratory diseases, those with weak immune systems, chidren under the age of 2, family members who have contact with a child under 2 and pregnant women who will be in their 3rd trimester during flu season.

This year the vaccine will be available as of the first of November. Some local drug stores, and grocery stores are sponsoring some vaccination clinics, but information on the clinics offered by Northern Health will be made available closer to the end of October.

Dr. Bowering says getting a flu shot is a good idea "You know there are so many things about winter that we dread, and there is nothing we can do about it. This is one thing which we can be proactive about and take preventive measures. I look forward to rolling up the old sleeve and getting my shot."

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