As respiratory virus season approaches, it is essential we keep the ‘tripledemic’ at bay by getting immunized against influenza, RSV and COVID-19. Each of these vaccines plays a vital part in preventing severe respiratory illnesses, especially among vulnerable populations.
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Seasonal influenza (or the flu) is a highly contagious respiratory disease, causing fever, sore throat, fatigue, nausea, and muscle pain, to name a few symptoms. Catching the flu can result in complications such as trouble breathing, convulsions, seizures, and pneumonia (infection of the lungs). Annual vaccination against seasonal influenza is necessary. As flu viruses evolve rapidly, the vaccine composition is updated each year to match circulating strains. Immunize Canada encourages everyone to get the flu vaccine, which helps reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death, particularly in high-risk groups like the elderly, young children, and people with chronic health conditions.
Another part of the ‘tripledemic’ equation is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is another highly contagious respiratory virus causing mild, cold-like symptoms most commonly during the fall and winter months in Canada. Although RSV symptoms are usually mild, severe infection can occur among people in the following groups: infants younger than six months, adults 65 years of age and older, and people who have weakened immune systems. Severe infection can lead to bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways of the lungs) and pneumonia. Therefore, it is important to get immunized and stay protected.
In fact, there are new products available to help prevent RSV in infants, pregnant people, and older adults in Canada. Nirsevimab is a protective antibody medication offered to children under two years of age, which provides extra protection against severe RSV infection. It provides protection to infants for at least the first 5 months of life if the medication is given at birth. People who are 32 to 36 weeks pregnant can receive the RSV vaccine, which helps protect newborns for up to the first six months of life. In provinces and territories where both nirsevimab and the RSV vaccine are available, people who are pregnant will be asked to decide whether they would prefer to receive the RSV vaccine in pregnancy, or have nirsevimab administered to their newborn. Adults over 60 years can also get the RSV vaccine to protect themselves from severe infection.
Finally, we cannot forget about COVID-19 (coronavirus disease), the very infectious respiratory disease responsible for becoming a global pandemic that resulted in worldwide lockdowns and public health restrictions. While most people infected with COVID-19 experience mild to moderate symptoms, others can become seriously ill and require hospitalization—unfortunately, some will succumb to the disease.
Fortunately, several COVID-19 vaccines were approved in Canada, which help protect people from serious illness and slow the transmission of the virus. Although public health restrictions have been removed and things seem ‘back to normal’, the COVID-19 virus is still circulating and changing quickly. Therefore, it is important to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine available to protect yourself from new variants of the disease.
For more information on these vaccines and how they can protect you and your loved ones, visit Immunize Canada’s website (https://immunize.ca). Staying informed and getting vaccinated are essential steps in maintaining individual and community health.
Immunize Canada is a national coalition of non-governmental, professional, health, government and private sector organizations with a specific interest in promoting the understanding and use of vaccines recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.
