Child wearing a mask (Image credit: CFJC)

By Connor Gunn

FLU, RSV AND COVID

Interior Health sees increase in viral infections in children; fewer flu shots given

Nov 25, 2022 | 4:44 PM

KAMLOOPS — British Columbia’s and Canada’s healthcare systems are under pressure as children across the country are being hospitalized due to an increase in viral infections of influenza, RSV and COVID-19.

Local and national health officials say the rise in infections is linked to the lack of exposure to these viruses during the pandemic.

“This year a lot of restrictions that were in place because of the pandemic over the past two years have been removed, people are more socially active and are exposed to others more often than the previous years, and also they haven’t been exposed to respiratory infections compared to [years before the pandemic],” says Interior Health Medical Official Dr. Fatemeh Sabet.

Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says flu season is in its early stages but it’s having a significant impact on the country’s healthcare system.

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“Even though the flu season is just starting, the IMPACT network of 12 pediatric hospitals in Canada has reported a sharp increase of influenza associated with hospitalizations among children aged 16 years or younger.”

Tam adds the rate of kids getting sick from influenza and RSV is steadily increasing.

“It’s a very steep rise and the slope of which is steeper than what we’ve seen in most of any past season I’m aware of,” says Tam.

Part of the issue can also be attributed to fewer children getting flu vaccinations. It’s specifically pronounced within Interior Health.

“The rate of influenza vaccine uptake in children continues to increase but we are seeing a rate around 20 per cent right now while the rate of vaccination during previous (years) has been around 35 per cent,” Sabet says.

The lower rate of vaccine uptake can partially be attributed to vaccine hesitancy but Sabet says it’s important to make sure the information people are absorbing comes from a reliable source.

“Similar to other types of vaccine, there are different reasons people avoid getting vaccines and it roots into the information and sources of information that people consult to gather data about infections and vaccines.”

Sabet added it’s more important this year to get the influenza vaccine due to the higher rate of respiratory infections in children.