Doctors urge vaccination as flu and RSV cases rise in children in BC
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Health professionals in BC are asking parents to remain vigilant this respiratory season as ER and primary care center visits for children are on the rise across the province.
according to BC Center for Disease Control Latest weekly summary, covering Nov. 30-Dec. 6, Cases of both influenza and RSV are increasing in children.
Although there is a possibility of an increase in respiratory diseases this time of year, doctors say what is worrying is that hesitancy regarding the vaccine is increasing.
Dr. Tom McLaughlin, a pediatrician at BC Women’s and Children’s Hospital, says more children are coming to hospitals with respiratory symptoms and many of them have not been vaccinated.
Health officials are warning of a rise in influenza among youth populations. The BC Center for Disease Control is reporting more cases of influenza in children, which they say has led to an increase in emergency hospital visits. Our Dan Burritt is joined by Dr. Tom McLaughlin, a pediatrician at BC Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
“Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in people who are hesitant, who may have been exposed to misinformation about the vaccines,” McLaughlin said. He said this has been an issue since the pandemic.
He said vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalization.
“By getting vaccinated, you are reducing the risk of serious illness and all diseases for yourself and your children.”
In a statement last week, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the dominant flu strain circulating in B.C. and Canada is H3N2, a subtype of influenza A that can cause more severe illness than other strains.
He said the current vaccine being offered is not the best fit for this strain, but stressed that it still offers strong protection against severe disease and hospitalization.
Dr. Pascal Lavoie, a pediatrician and professor at the University of British Columbia, said infants and children with underlying health conditions, including premature babies and those with heart or immune disorders, are at higher risk of serious complications due to RSV.
RSV usually causes minor colds, but can cause serious illness in vulnerable groups such as older adults and newborns.
A A recent study from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of British Columbia found that children under six months of age account for approximately 45 per cent of all RSV-related hospitalizations in Canada.
Health officials say RSV shots are necessary for infants
The influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women, in the province and is free.
However, Lavoie says there are no RSV vaccines approved for infants in the province, although there are two main ways to protect babies.
a maternal RSV vaccine called AbrysvoWhich can be given during pregnancy and provides protection to babies after birth. It was recently approved for pregnant people ages 18 and older.
According to the province, the vaccine is not free and costs about $300.
“It works really well and provides 70-80 percent protection against RSV hospitalization for the infant,” Lavoie said.
He says that monoclonal antibody treatments are available for mothers who are unable to get vaccinated during pregnancy.
As flu season approaches, the province is unveiling its rollout for COVID-19 and flu vaccines. Health officials are encouraging people across B.C. to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated. As Michel Ghoussoub reports, they’re also warning of a rise in misinformation about the safety of the vaccines.
Unlike vaccines, which help the body make its own antibodies, monoclonal antibodies provide protection by transferring the antibodies directly to the baby through an injection.
The province says monoclonal antibodies such as nirsevimab will not be available to most infants in B.C. this respiratory season and are being reserved. Some for high-risk babies and some for those born in remote communities.
Most of Canada has a publicly funded RSV program where all children can receive nirsevimab at no cost.
Only due to external factors BC, Alberta and New Brunswick.
Lavoie said widespread use of such devices could prevent hundreds of hospitalizations each year.
“It is estimated that 250-300 hospitalizations could be prevented each year in BC through this approach,” he said.
They say that for pregnant people who cannot get the RSV vaccine, breastfeeding can help protect babies.
“[It]helps transmit a lot of good antibodies to the baby that will protect the baby against many respiratory viruses, not just RSV,” Lavoie said.
In Ontario, three children aged five to nine have died this month from complications of influenza.
Although no child deaths linked to flu or RSV have been reported in B.C., health officials say vaccination remains the strongest protection as respiratory illnesses continue to rise.
