We often look to Australia to find out what the flu season might be like here in Canada.
Officials say influenza cases dropped dramatically Down Under this year and COVID-19 prevention measures may be why.
Fredericton-based pharmacist Paul Bowman says the coronavirus was managed quite well in New Brunswick when it first arrived and hopefully that will continue.
Bowman says his patients have shown lots of interest in getting a shot and he thinks COVID-19 has heightened awareness of the flu vaccine.
This year’s vaccine will be available starting this month.
He says the flu season will be hard to predict since COVID-19 is an ever-evolving situation.
“I think there is increased anxiety, not only in New Brunswick but around the world of how this is all going to pan out… what fall and winter is going to look like. So I think people are looking seriously at everything they can possibly do to try and mitigate the risk.”
Bowman notes how influenza kills Canadians every year especially in high risk groups such as seniors and those with chronic conditions.
More than 2300 influenza cases and 14 deaths were reported by New Brunswick Public Health over the past year (from August 2019 to July 2020).
