As Canada enters the early stages of influenza season, experts warn that Australia’s record-breaking flu outbreak may offer a troubling glimpse of what might come.
The latest data from Australia’s National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System shows the country recorded 352,532 laboratory-confirmed flu cases this year, eclipsing the previous high of 313,615 cases in 2019. Flu vaccination rates in Australia have also steadily declined, with national data revealing a consistent drop over the past two years.
“It’s a cautionary tale. People forgot to get their vaccines, the vaccination rate was too low and this led to an increase in the number of cases,” Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Disease Centre, told Global News Edmonton on Wednesday.
Seasonal influenza typically circulates during the winter months, with Australia’s flu season running from their winter of May to October, while in Canada, it spans from October to May.
In Australia, the dominant flu strain this season was the A(H3N2) virus, a subtype of influenza A known for causing more severe illness, particularly among older adults, young children and people with weakened immune systems. In Canada, the country’s weekly flu watch data says it is too early in the season to confirm which strain is the dominant one, but influenza A(H1N1) remains the most commonly-detected strain.
The influenza vaccine helps protect both individuals and the community by reducing the spread of infection, Conway said. The goal is to achieve herd immunity, he said, which requires at least 50 per cent of the population to be vaccinated.
This creates a higher level of immunity in the community, reducing overall disease spread. However, in Australia, vaccination rates fell below this threshold, leading to a higher number of flu cases, he said.
Conway suggested that one of the reasons Australians have been reluctant to get their flu shot is the vaccine fatigue that has emerged since the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, a national survey revealed that 54 per cent of Australian respondents did not perceive influenza as a severe disease, while 45 per cent of parents were unaware that vaccines were available for their children.
What’s in store for Canada?
Influenza vaccines in Canada have already begun rolling out — and it’s not too late to get yours — but it is still too early to know the exact uptake in numbers. However, 2023 to 2024 national data shows influenza vaccination coverage was 42 per cent, which was similar to the previous season (43 per cent).
While vaccination coverage among seniors (73 per cent) is closer to the coverage goal of 80 per cent, only 44 per cent of the adults aged 18 to 64 years with chronic medical conditions received the flu shot in Canada, data showed.
The most common reason for getting the flu shot was to prevent infection (23 per cent), whereas the most common reason for not getting the flu shot was the perception that the vaccine was not needed (31 per cent). And despite most people agreeing that the flu shot is safe (87 per cent), 43 per cent of adults mistakenly believed that they could get the flu from the flu vaccine.
Conclusion:
The record-breaking flu outbreak in Australia serves as a warning to Canada, highlighting the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of influenza. As the flu season progresses, it is crucial that Canadians take steps to protect themselves and their communities by getting vaccinated and practicing good hygiene.
FAQs:
Q: What is the dominant flu strain in Australia this season?
A: The dominant flu strain in Australia this season is the A(H3N2) virus.
Q: What is the current vaccination rate in Canada?
A: The current vaccination rate in Canada is 42 per cent, similar to the previous season.
Q: Why are vaccination rates declining in Australia?
A: Vaccination rates are declining in Australia due to a combination of factors, including vaccine fatigue and a lack of awareness about the severity of influenza.
Q: What is the most common reason for getting the flu shot in Canada?
A: The most common reason for getting the flu shot in Canada is to prevent infection.
Q: What is the most common reason for not getting the flu shot in Canada?
A: The most common reason for not getting the flu shot in Canada is the perception that the vaccine is not needed.
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