Ottawa Public Health switching flu vaccine for non-at-risk population, as demand skyrockets

Ottawa Public Health is changing this year's flu vaccine for residents not considered to be high risk, as demand for the flu shot is more than four times higher this season than a year ago.

In a letter to Mayor Jim Watson and Ottawa City Council, Ottawa Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches says 11,321 residents were vaccinated against the flu during the fall and winter months of 2019 and 2020. Since launching this season's campaign in October 2020, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) has already vaccinated over 48,000 residents. 
 
“As the demand for the flu vaccine continues to be high throughout the province, the Ontario government is now offering FluMist Quadrivalent, a live attenuated influenza vaccine (FluMist-LAIV), as a part of the Ontario Universal Influenza Immunization Program,” explains Dr. Etches. 

Starting Friday, December 4, FluMist will be the primary vaccine available for residents 2 to 59 years of age in Ottawa at all OPH clinics. The quadrivalent (QIV) shot will still be available for residents who cannot receive the FluMist vaccine, such as anyone who is immunosuppressed or has uncontrolled asthma, or is pregnant, as well as residents older than 59 years of age or younger than two.  

FluMist was not originally offered as a part of the 2020-2021 Ontario program (but has been distributed by OPH in previous seasons) and was only available by private purchase.

Dr. Etches says FluMist-LAIV is a nasal spray offered in pre-filled syringes and authorized in Canada for use in children and adults 2 to 59 years of age, and both vaccines are proven to be effective. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization supports the use of both, as well.  
 
OPH continues to offer available appointments on its website, based on community demand and vaccine availability. OPH is also still recommending that anyone at high risk of influenza-related complications get the flu vaccine as soon as possible. 

For more information about influenza immunization, please refer to www.ottawapublichealth.ca/flu. 
 
Should you have questions regarding the provincial vaccine order please contact uiip.moh@ontario.ca.