Still time to get flu shot for some protection over the holiday season: Public health

There is still time to get the flu shot and still be at least partially protected over the next two weeks as people may gather for events such as Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's Eve celebrations, public health says.

Dr. Adelle Chang On is the resident physician for Region of Waterloo Public Health and says people should endeavour to get their shot as soon as possible as a way to stay healthy.

"It's still absolutely worth it to try to get this shot now because two weeks is, of course, when we think there will be maximum protection. But getting the flu shot would offer some level of protection even in the days following before the end of the two weeks," Chang On told Craig Norris, host of CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition on Monday.

"In addition to the flu shot, we know that there are other measures that we can practise to keep ourselves safe."

She said that includes layers of protection, such as:

• Wearing a well-fitting mask.
• Washing hands frequently.
• Cleaning high-touch surfaces regularly.
• Stay home if you're sick.

"If you wake up on the morning of that family gathering and you feel under the weather, stay home. You may be gathering the people who may themselves be at higher risk of influenza related complications, for example, and we want to keep everyone safe," she said.

Have we reached peak flu?

In Waterloo region, public health says recent indicators show COVID-19 is still circulating broadly, cases of influenza are increasing while spread of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children may be slowing down.

Last week, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore told The Canadian Press the province may have reached a peak for influenza, but Chang On said even if that's the case, people still need to take precautions.

"It was just a little too soon to tell. Certainly we are hopeful that it has [peaked], but this would not be the time to let our guard down," she said.

"I think as we go into the next couple of weeks where we're indoors and maybe gathering a little bit, we need to remain vigilant and do our part to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe."