Ministry of Health urging Saskatchewan residents to get flu shots

The flu could be making a comeback in Saskatchewan.

According to the provincial government, there was little to no flu transmission in Saskatchewan in recent influenza seasons. But based on the flu season just experienced in the southern hemisphere, Canada could see what the provincial government called “a significant influenza season this fall and winter.”

On Tuesday, the Public Health Agency of Canada’s FluWatch report said the country has entered a flu epidemic.

The biweekly epidemiological report released Thursday by Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health seemed to bear out the rising threat, showing flu cases in the province had nearly tripled from the previous week.

According to the report, there were 192 flu cases in the week that ended Nov. 5, up from 68 in the previous week. There were 15 flu cases in the week before that.

Of the 192 cases, 117 were under the age of 19.

The test positivity rate for influenza went from 2.5 per cent in the week of Oct. 16-22 to 8.8 per cent in the week of Oct. 23-29 to 21.8 per cent between Oct. 30 and Nov. 5.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said the national test positivity rate was 11.7 per cent in the week of Oct. 30 to Nov. 5. A flu epidemic is declared most years after a positivity rate of five per cent is reached.

It all has Saskatchewan chief medical health officer Saqib Shahab reminding people to get immunized.

Shahab said rates for respiratory illnesses started to pick up in Saskatchewan in early summer.

At this point, Shahab said the infections are about what was expected. COVID-19 is still generating some hospitalizations among those who are elderly and immunocompromised, in particular. Many people have now been sick with COVID.

Shahab encouraged people to get vaccinated against COVID and influenza.

“We are seeing more coughs and colds in ourselves,” Shahab noted, adding each person typically experiences four to six such illnesses a year — although, over the past two years, many haven’t had even one.

As of last Thursday, the government said 185,531 doses of influenza vaccine had been administered in Saskatchewan. That’s about 15 per cent of the population.

Everyone aged six months and over is eligible to receive a flu shot at participating pharmacies, Saskatchewan Health Authority clinics, or some physician and nurse practitioner offices. The shots are free.

Children between the ages of six months and five years can only be immunized at a SHA flu clinic, a public health office or by a physician or nurse practitioner.

”A number of respiratory illnesses are currently putting pressure on Saskatchewan’s acute care system,” Shahab said in a media release. “The best way to protect yourself against influenza is to be immunized, layered with common-sense measures like staying home when sick, washing your hands frequently, and choosing to wear a mask when you feel it appropriate.”

When it comes to sick children this year, Shahab reminded parents that they know how to care for their children — by keeping them comfortable at home with plenty of rest and liquids.

“Not every cough and cold even needs antibiotics. If the fever’s not high, you really don’t need any medication,” Shahab noted.

For situations where children are more severely ill but still not in need of hospitalization or a doctor, Shahab said parents should consult with their pharmacy about appropriate available children’s medicine.

He noted children are especially prone to illness because of how social they tend to be.

“Most parents, you don’t need to seek medical advice (when your child is sick). All of us should be familiar with what to do,” he emphasized. “Just keep them at home, keep them comfortable, keep them hydrated and they’ll be fine.”

However, when a child under three months is not feeding or is lethargic, he advised parents to seek urgent care. A trip to the emergency room might be warranted if a child is sick and breathing rapidly or has worsening asthma.

If a child is not to that level but is still showing concerning symptoms, Shahab advised parents to visit their primary care provider.

Shahab did emphasize seeking the appropriate type of care with ongoing pressures on various parts of the health-care system in Saskatchewan and influenza illnesses adding additional strain.

For more information on clinic times and locations or to make a booking to receive an influenza vaccine, visit www.4flu.ca. Individual or group bookings also can be made by calling 1-833-727-5829.

“Every little bit helps,” Shahab said.