Toronto’s top doctor is urging residents to get a flu shot ahead of holiday celebrations.
The city’s medical officer of health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, said residents should get a flu shot now to maximize their protection against the virus at holiday celebrations.
De Villa said he “urges Torontonians, in the strongest possible terms, to get their flu shot as soon as possible.”
“Vaccination is the strongest defense against the flu virus and appointments are available throughout the city of Toronto, including at any of the six immunization clinics operated by Toronto Public Health,” he said in a statement press release issued on Wednesday.
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The city said if the “current pattern of confirmed flu infection in Toronto continues, the risk of flu infection is expected to peak during the holiday season.”
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According to Toronto Public Health data, there were a total of 512 cases of the flu between November 13 and November 19.
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During this time period, a test positivity rate of 10.5 percent was recorded in the city, marking an increase from the previous week when a test positivity rate of 8 was reported. 1 percent
The city said a positive test rate of more than five percent indicates the virus “is circulating in the community and flu season is underway.”
“Historically, influenza activity in a region tends to peak within about five weeks of this positivity rate,” the statement said. “This means Toronto will likely enter a peak flu infection period as people gather for Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s celebrations.”
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The city said the flu can be “highly contagious” for those who have not been vaccinated and can cause “severe symptoms” for those with pre-existing conditions, very young children or older adults.
Toronto Mayor John Tory echoed De Villa’s comments and encouraged residents to get their chance.
“As the holiday season begins, I encourage residents to get a flu shot,” he said in a statement. “Please follow the advice of our public health professionals and get vaccinated now, it’s one of the quickest and easiest ways to make sure you’re protected against the flu this season. We want people to have happy and healthy holidays.”
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