Influenza season is upon us once again and it is hitting harder than usual, according to medical health officer Dr. David Torr. 

He said doctors were pre-warned that it would be a difficult flu season. While we were going through our summer, the southern hemisphere was going through its winter and doctors were monitoring the flu activity. 

For instance, Torr said Australia had a very aggressive flu season, so doctors were expecting more of the same when winter came to the northern hemisphere. 

“The influenza came in very fast, very early and it is really pushing very aggressively,” Torr said. 

H3N2 is the strain that is making its rounds right now, also known as Influenza A, while Influenza B usually comes around January or February. Torr warned that Influenza is not your everyday cold. 

“This is a much more severe illness. It hits hard and it has the potential for complications and the good thing is that we do have a vaccine available,” he explained. 

Torr said they are seeing a low uptake of flu shots this season so not many people are protected. From what doctors are seeing, this year’s flu shot is fairly effective, although Torr didn’t have exact percentages. 

Torr also wanted to clarify that getting the flu shot doesn’t mean you won’t get the flu. He said the difference is that the flu will have less of an impact on you with fewer complications, a faster recovery and you’ll be less likely to spread it. 

Along with getting your flu shot, Torr recommends taking other precautions such as avoiding crowds and staying home when you are feeling ill. 

We may all be tired of wearing masks and being cautious, but Torr said we shouldn’t be letting our guard down. 

"We might be tired of these infections, but the infections thrive on that and they are not tired of us,” he said. 

We are seeing the flu bug hit children especially hard. Torr said it is the nature of the strain in that it is quite aggressive. Another factor is that influenza numbers were low in the last couple of years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Young children are still building their immune system, so their immune system isn’t as strong as an adults. 

Torr added that they are also seeing severe complications from flu in those immunocompromised and older adults 65 years of age and older. 

“It is hitting both sides of the spectrum,” he said. 

Information about flu vaccine clinics can be found at 4flu.ca or by calling 1-833-SASKVAX.