Back to SearchKFL&A Public Health is concerned that COVID-19 will continue to be active and co-circulate with the beginning of our next influenza season. Every winter in Ontario, extra hospital beds and staff are needed to cope with influenza. While managing COVID-19 simultaneously, hospital admission, intensive care unit utilization and death rates may reach unprecedented levels.
To limit the combined impact of COVID-19 and influenza on our community and health care system, KFL&A Public Health is advocating to The Ministry of Health and Health Canada to put additional measures in place for this upcoming influenza season.
“While the influenza vaccination does not prevent COVID-19, influenza is a serious illness that causes hundreds of deaths and hospital admissions each year in Ontario,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “Improving the population’s protection against influenza will help us manage the increased demand on health services because of COVID-19 and protect at-risk groups from serious co-infection with the two viruses.”
The following recommendations were presented to the Provincial and Federal Governments to support the 2020 to 2021 influenza season:
- To purchase additional influenza vaccines and have adequate supply for Ontarians to support the anticipated increase demand for vaccinations for up to 60 to 70% of the population.
- Prepare for an earlier administration of vaccinations than usual (i.e., September), with high-risk groups prioritised to receive the vaccines initially.
- Support a comprehensive communications immunization plan that conveys the exceptional circumstances that make it more important than ever to get vaccinated against influenza to ensure high immunization availability and accessibility in our communities.
- Purchase additional antivirals for the Government Pharmacy with early distribution to partners.
For more Information on immunizations visit www.kflaph.ca and for the most up to date information on COVID-19 visit www.Kflaph.ca/Coronavirus or www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus.
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Kingston— KFL&A Public Health is concerned that COVID-19 will continue to be active and co-circulate with the beginning of our next influenza season. Every winter in Ontario, extra hospital beds and staff are needed to cope with influenza. While managing COVID-19 simultaneously, hospital admission, intensive care unit utilization and death rates may reach unprecedented levels.
To limit the combined impact of COVID-19 and influenza on our community and health care system, KFL&A Public Health is advocating to The Ministry of Health and Health Canada to put additional measures in place for this upcoming influenza season.
“While the influenza vaccination does not prevent COVID-19, influenza is a serious illness that causes hundreds of deaths and hospital admissions each year in Ontario,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “Improving the population’s protection against influenza will help us manage the increased demand on health services because of COVID-19 and protect at-risk groups from serious co-infection with the two viruses.”
The following recommendations were presented to the Provincial and Federal Governments to support the 2020 to 2021 influenza season:
1. To purchase additional influenza vaccines and have adequate supply for Ontarians to support the anticipated increase demand for vaccinations for up to 60 to 70% of the population.
2. Prepare for an earlier administration of vaccinations than usual (i.e., September), with high-risk groups prioritised to receive the vaccines initially.
3. Support a comprehensive communications immunization plan that conveys the exceptional circumstances that make it more important than ever to get vaccinated against influenza to ensure high immunization availability and accessibility in our communities.
4. Purchase additional antivirals for the Government Pharmacy with early distribution to partners.
For more Information on immunizations visit www.kflaph.ca and for the most up to date information on COVID-19 visit www.Kflaph.ca/Coronavirus or www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus.
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