As flu season approaches, here’s what you need to know about seasonal vaccines

Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Trevor Arnason, shares what you need to know about COVID-19 and flu vaccines during this week’s Your Health segment.

Respiratory illness season is just around the corner which means its time to start thinking about vaccinations.

“Respiratory illness season is the time of year when it gets a bit cold outside and we all start coming inside and that increases the transmission of these viruses,” Ottawa Public Health’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Trevor Arnason told CTV News at Six on Thursday.

“Two of the more serious ones are influenza and now COVID-19, coming out the pandemic we’re seeing increasing activity every fall season, as well as RSV.”

COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines are currently available for select high-risk groups.

“We’re really encouraging older adults and people with medical conditions, so respiratory conditions, and other medical conditions, to get the vaccine,” Arnason said.

For more information on respiratory illnesses and the conditions that need to be monitored during this season, Aranson says to vist: Ottawapublichealth.ca/respvirus.

For the general public in Ottawa, flu a

nd COVID-19 vaccines will be available starting Monday, Oct. 27.

While COVID-19 and flu shots can be administered by primary care providers like doctors and nurse practitioners, Arnason suggests going to your pharmacist for the shots.

“We generally advise most people to go to a pharmacy,” he said.

RSV vaccines, which Arnason urges for older adults and high risk populations, cannot be administered by pharmacists and must be given by primary care providers.

What to know about measles in Ottawa

There was a recent measles outbreak in Ottawa, in which five individuals were confirmed with the infection, although Arnason says there isn’t need to worry at the moment.

“We’re actually not that concerned because we have very high levels of measles vaccination in the community, and we don’t see spread within the community,” Arnason said.

“So, when we hear five cases that sound like a lot, but measles is a very contagious disease and it can spread very quickly within a household and these were all related individuals so we’re really not concerned about widespread transmission within the community,” he said.

Arnason notes measles vaccines are available for children in two doses, one at the age of 12 months, and the second between four and six years of age.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App