Dr Strang briefs province on an early flu season

A “plea” to get vaccinated 

CITYnews halifax\Adam Inniss

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Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer, gave a briefing on December 16 about respiratory illness in the province. He warns that we’re seeing a more aggressive and early flu season.

“Normally we don’t have peak influenza until after the end of the holiday season. But now we’re seeing peak influenza,” said Strang to reporters.

Influenza has the most impact on young people, immunocompromised, and older people. But everyone is affected by the increasing amount of illness going around.

“We all as a community need to all work together and get vaccinated,” said Strang, calling his recommendation a “plea to Nova Scotians.”

The flu vaccine is most effective and offers full protection after two weeks, but Strang says some protection comes on soon.

“Some say it’s not worthwhile to get an influenza vaccine at this point, this couldn’t be farther from the truth.”

Strang urges people to get themselves and their families vaccinated against both influenza and COVID-19.

Though Strang says we’re seeing less COVID going around right now, its toll on the healthcare system is still being felt.

“Our hospitals are full,” said Strang.

“We all need to take this seriously and do whatever we can to minimize the chances that we are spreading viruses around and minimize our impact on the healthcare system.”

Though masks are no longer mandatory, Nova Scotia health still strongly recommends masking when in crowded areas.

Strang says if you have flu or COVID symptoms, ranging from a sore throat to a fever to a cough, you should stay home, and if you must go out—wear a mask.

Strang ended his briefing by thanking the hundreds of healthcare workers and staff in the system who keep the province safe and put themselves at risk.