Impending holiday gatherings prompts seasonal shot reminder from health professionals

KAMLOOPS — Heading into the height of holiday party season, medical professionals are once again reminding people to get their seasonal respiratory vaccinations.

This week, B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a statement explaining that while the province is seeing a new strain of H3N2 that is not as well-matched to the expected strain in the vaccine – the updated flu shots for this year still provide good protection against H1N1 and Influenza B.

Interior Health says the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap region is heading into a time of year when cold and flu infections ramp-up, often circulated through indoor gatherings. And the health authority is urging people to book their flu and COVID booster shots.