Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
Flu activity rises early as provinces change vaccination plans
Flu activity is rising earlier than usual across Canada this fall, and some provinces have changed their vaccination plans.
National surveillance figures show that 5.3 per cent of flu tests were positive for the week ending Oct.
10, up from 4.7 per cent the week before.
If the rate stays above 5 per cent next week, the flu season will be declared underway under the national program.
British Columbia had the highest rate, at 14.9 per cent.
Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island started vaccination earlier, while Alberta told pharmacies to give shots as soon as doses arrive.
In Ontario, some seniors have struggled to book appointments, and one family doctor said vaccine deliveries arrived later and included fewer shots than usual.
Vaccination helps reduce the risk of serious illness, but officials are watching whether rising flu activity leads to more medical visits and hospitalizations.
Flu activity in Canada rose earlier and more sharply than usual, prompting some provinces to change vaccination plans.
For the week ending Oct. 10, 5.3 per cent of flu tests were positive, up from 4.7 per cent the previous week.
British Columbia recorded the highest provincial positivity rate, at 14.9 per cent.
Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island began vaccinations earlier, while Alberta told pharmacies to give shots when doses arrived.
Some Ontario seniors reported trouble finding appointments or facing cancellations because vaccines had not arrived.
- Who
- Canadian health authorities and people seeking flu shots, including seniors.
- What
- Flu activity rose early, and some provinces changed vaccination plans. Some Ontario seniors reported difficulty obtaining shots.
- When
- In fall 2026; the latest figures covered the week ending Oct. 10.
- Where
- Canada, with provincial developments reported in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Alberta and Ontario.
- Why
- Flu activity rose earlier than usual, leading some provinces to bring forward or adjust vaccination availability.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Prince Edward Island’s Department of Health and Wellness said flu season had arrived earlier than usual and urged residents to book appointments.
Prince Edward Island held pop-up flu vaccination clinics.
Nova Scotia began offering vaccination appointments.
The share of positive flu tests rose to 5.3 per cent from 4.7 per cent the previous week.
Most provinces had set their vaccination launches for this date; Ontario shots for high-risk and priority groups were also expected to become available around this time.
Alberta had planned to launch its vaccination drive, but told pharmacies to administer shots as soon as they received doses.
- National flu test positivity
- 5.3 per cent for the week ending Oct. 10
- Previous week’s positivity
- 4.7 per cent
- British Columbia positivity
- 14.9 per cent, the highest provincial rate
- Prince Edward Island clinics
- Pop-up clinics held Oct. 7
- Nova Scotia appointments
- Began Oct. 9
- Alberta vaccination drive
- Planned launch was Oct. 19, but pharmacies were told to give shots as soon as doses arrived
What people are saying
This is a clear, strong indication that flu is circulating and we need to continue to watch whether that increase continues and whether it translates clinically into more medical visits and hospitalizations
We are definitely having an earlier start to the flu season.
The flu doesn’t really care about our agenda.
Only the most determined might go through all that hassle,