With a vaccine ‘mismatch,’ should you get a flu shot?

We check in with Dr. Paul to find out what infections are circulating at the moment.

This year’s flu season is expected to be particularly tough, in part due to a potential mismatch between the prevalent flu strain and this year’s vaccine, but the Eastern Ontario Health Unit CEO and Medical Officer of Health says it’s still crucial to get a flu shot this year.

“The bottom line is the vaccine will actually try to prevent disease but more importantly, prevent severe disease and complications,” Dr. Paul Roumeliotis told CTV Your Morning Live on Wednesday.

Dr. Paul says there have been multiple indications that this year’s flu season might be more harsh than usual.

For instance, Dr. Paul says Australia experienced more severe cases of the illness this year, which can be an indicator that we will also experience a more severe flu season. Likewise, Dr. Paul notes that the H3N2 strain of the flu has been observed, which is more severe than the H1N1 strain that typically circulates.

While there have been warnings that the vaccine will be a mismatch with this year’s most prevalent strain, Dr. Paul says that does not mean individuals should skip their getting their flu shot this year.

“It’s better to be 60 or 70 per cent protected rather than zero per cent protected, so I urge people to get vaccinated,” Dr. Paul said.

While you may end up getting the flu even after receiving your shot, Dr. Paul says that’s the case even with the most effective vaccines.

“Even if it’s a good match, sometimes you may still get what’s called a breakthrough infection,” he said.

Dr. Paul also notes that the flu shot is critical because it can help to prevent serious complications, which is especially true for the oldest and youngest populations. For those who are not at a high-risk of complications, Dr. Paul says it’s still important to get vaccinated to prevent the illness from spreading.

“It may be the difference between being admitted to hospital and not being admitted to hospital,” Dr. Paul said.

Dr. Paul also recommends the RSV vaccine for babies and the elderly, as well as the COVID vaccine.

“We have almost a triple threat coming, but certainly the good news is that unlike with the common cold where we don’t have vaccines, we do have vaccines to protect ourselves against the flu, RSV and COVID,” Dr. Paul said.

Is it the flu or a cold?

While we’re soon to be entering flu season, Dr. Paul says the most common illness circulating in Ottawa right now is the common cold.

“I know a lot of people have been sick and they think it’s the flu, they think its COVID, it likely is not,” Dr. Paul said.

Some people will have a cold but think they’ve experienced the flu, leading them to believe they’ve built up immunity to the flu. For this reason, Dr. Paul says it’s important to correctly identify what illness you’re dealing, and its especially crucial to get your seasonal vaccines regardless of what sickness you’ve already dealt with.

“Don’t think that just because you’re sick, you’re good to go with the flu,” Dr. Paul said.

People suffering from the common cold will usually experience runny nose, mild fever, and a mild cough, Dr. Paul says. Crucially, Dr. Paul notes, the common cold will also usually resolve itself without further complications.

By contrast, individuals with the flu will often experience a high fever, body aches, and more severe symptoms that can last for several weeks. Dr. Paul says the flu can cause complications, especially for young children and the elderly who can end up in hospital.

So, while most people in Ottawa aren’t likely to deal with the flu just yet, Dr. Paul says flu season is typically at its worst in December and January.

“We’re not seeing the flu, we’re not seeing COVID, we’re not seeing RSV yet, I want to underscore yet,” he said.

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