In the November 10 Community Respiratory Surveillance Program (CRISP), the medical community is seeing a dramatic increase in the number of cases, with 61 percent of reported cases in children and youth up to 19 years of age. Rising absenteeism rates reported by school districts across the province reflect the challenges. It has the Chief Medical Officer of Health reminding residents to keep their flu shots up to date. “With an increase in respiratory illnesses this fall, including influenza, all residents should be up to date with available vaccinations,” said the province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Saqib Shahab. “In Saskatchewan, we are fortunate to have safe and effective vaccines for influenza and COVID-19. However, COVID-19 is not the flu, and the COVID-19 vaccines will not protect you from the flu. The best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is to get your annual flu shot.” As of Nov. 10, 185,531 flu shots have been administered in Saskatchewan, representing about 15 percent of the population. All Saskatchewan residents six months of age and older are eligible to receive flu shots at participating pharmacies, Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) clinics, and certain doctors’ and nurses’ offices. Flu shots are free. Children six months to five years old can only be vaccinated at a public SHA flu clinic, public health office, or from a doctor or nurse. Only select clinics offer flu and/or COVID-19 shots. “A number of respiratory diseases are currently putting pressure on Saskatchewan’s acute care system,” Shahab said. “The best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get immunized with common sense measures like staying home when you’re sick, washing your hands often and choosing to wear a mask when you feel it’s appropriate.” Information and online reservations are available at www.4flu.ca.
