Ottawa Public Health reminds residents to get vaccinated ahead of the holidays

The holiday season is a special time of year to connect and celebrate with family and friends. But it’s also respiratory illness season – a time of year when respiratory viruses like COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are circulating alongside the common cold and other viruses.

With the holiday season and colder months driving people indoors, and into closer contact, it makes it easier for respiratory viruses to spread, leading to a rise in infections, hospitalizations, and increased pressure on the healthcare system.

Ottawa Public Health’s (OPH) respiratory virus surveillance currently shows overall very high levels of flu, high levels of RSV , and low levels of COVID-19 in Ottawa, with all three rising. Hospital partners are also signaling that they are seeing an increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations for respiratory illness – especially among children and older adults. Infants, young children, pregnant persons, older adults, and people with underlying medical issues are especially at risk for severe illness, complications, or hospitalization from viruses, like COVID-19 and flu.

Here's how you can help protect yourself and others, Ottawa!

• The COVID-19 and flu vaccines are recommended for people aged six months and older. They can safely be received at the same time. 

• These vaccines reduce your likelihood of getting these infections and are particularly effective in preventing severe illness, complications, and hospitalizations. 
• Pharmacies continue to be the primary access point for both vaccines for people two years of age and older with many pharmacies offering walk-in services and appointments.
• OPH offers clinics for eligible groups facing barriers including newcomers without OHIP and children under five years of age and their household members. Vaccines are available by appointment at OPH Community Clinics and on a drop-in basis, based on capacity, at OPH Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs.

In addition to getting vaccinated:

• Wash your hands often or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your face and cover your cough or sneeze
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
• Stay home if you’re sick - if you have symptoms like fever, cough, or sore throat, avoid gatherings to prevent spreading illness. Stay home until you are fever-free, without fever-reducing medication, and your symptoms have been improving for 24 hours or 48 hours after your last episode of vomiting or diarrhea. 
• If you are sick, avoid visiting people at high risk of severe illness, including those in hospitals, long-term care, or retirement homes.

Helpful resources to help support you and your family this respiratory season:

• OPH factsheet – About Respiratory Illness
• OPH and CHEO handout – My child is sick. Where do I seek care? And when?
• CHEO factsheet – What you need to know: fever
• CHEO factsheet – Deciding to come to the emergency department
• CHEO webpage – Cough and colds
• Province of Ontario webpage – Protection from respiratory illness
• Public Health Ontario factsheet - How to protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses
• Health 811 – Call 8-1-1 to connect with a registered nurse day or night for free, secure and confidential health advice

Together we can make this holiday season joyful and safe for everyone. For more information about respiratory viruses, to view our respiratory illness dashboard, or for helpful resources, please visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/RespVirus.

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