Ottawa’s heath unit and hospitals urging residents to get vaccinated as flu season starts

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) along with officials from local hospitals, are urging residents to get their updated COVID-19 and flu shots as soon as possible, especially those who are considered at higher risk.

OPH notes that wastewater levels of COVID-19 and hospitalizations are higher now than they were last year, warning that those most like to be affected continues to be in older adults.

The health unit is also warning that flu season has officially started in Ottawa and that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is circulating through the community.

OPH’s medical officer of health, Dr. Vera Etches, and the local hospital chiefs of staff warn that people at higher risk of severe illness or complications from COVID-19 and the flu include those who are 60 and older, pregnant, have chronic medical conditions or are immunocompromised.

They also warn that young children under five are at higher risk of complications from the flu.

Health officials said that vaccination continues to be one of the best ways for people to help protect themselves against severe outcomes from COVID-19 and flu, including hospitalization, as respiratory illnesses across the city increases during the winter.

They add is it safe to receive both the COVID-19 vaccine and flu vaccine at the same time.

Residents can contact their local pharmacy, regular health care provider or visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca to book an appointment for the vaccine.