BC’s public health authorities are calling on British Columbians to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities from influenza, COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses, as the 2025-26 immunization campaign is underway.
Around 40 people were in hospitals across BC with COVID as of Friday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said during a press conference.
Hospitals in the Interior Health region are inundated with influenza cases with six children in the province already dying from complications of the flu so far this season, about double that of an entire normal flu season.
Recent hospitalization data for influenza and other respiratory viruses including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) show no major uptick in the Interior Health region but the authority is keeping an eye on the ongoing rising infections in Ontario and the prairie provinces.
The roll out of B.C.’s Omicron-targeted COVID-19 vaccine booster program will begin later this week with the first wave of invitations via email and text message in a similar fashion as previous vaccination rounds.
The traditional influenza (flu) season is upon us and Interior Health is calling on everyone to protect themselves and increase immunity within the community by getting their annual vaccine.
