Prince Edward Island’s Health Chief Urges Flu Vaccination

Dr. Heather Morrison, the chief public health officer of Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), has announced that a significant number of residents hospitalized this flu season were unvaccinated. Specifically, two-thirds of those admitted for influenza did not receive the vaccine, highlighting the critical need for increased vaccination rates among Islanders.

In a phone interview with The Guardian on January 29, Morrison noted a sharp rise in influenza cases around the holiday season, although she indicated that the peak appears to have passed. “Overall, P.E.I. had a really sharp increase around the holidays around influenza and it looks like that highest peak is behind us,” she stated. “We’ve really seen a decrease over the last couple of weeks.”

Vaccination Campaign Urged

Morrison is urging those who have not yet been vaccinated against influenza to take action promptly. “I think that really just speaks to the importance of vaccination in reducing the risk of severe outcomes like hospitalization,” she emphasized.

She also warned of a potential second peak of influenza, specifically influenza B, later in the season. Moreover, she pointed out that receiving the flu vaccine can lower the risk of heart attack and stroke following an influenza infection. “I don’t think I talk about it enough, but the other thing is that being vaccinated against influenza also reduces your risk of heart attack and stroke following influenza,” Morrison explained.

Current Health Landscape in P.E.I.

According to Morrison, P.E.I. is currently experiencing low rates of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. She anticipates that vaccination uptake for the 2025-26 season will meet or exceed last year’s figures. “The highest uptake for vaccines for COVID and influenza were in those 65 years of age and older. We distributed, or we know, there has been over 46,000 individuals who have been vaccinated for influenza,” she stated.

Vaccinations for both influenza and COVID-19 are still available through public health nursing, pharmacies, physicians, and nurse practitioners. Morrison highlighted a notable decline in RSV cases, which dropped from 445 last year to just 33 this year. This reduction follows the introduction of a vaccine against RSV, which started with long-term care and community care facilities last year and expanded this year to include individuals aged 75 and older, as well as those aged 60 to 74 with specific lung conditions.

Additionally, the RSV vaccine is now available for infants, and Morrison reported a significant increase in the number of people receiving this vaccine since October. “It will be interesting to see if that does have an effect. I think it’s too early to tell but we’re certainly hoping that the RSV protection program does decrease the hospitalizations and severe outcomes,” she remarked.

Dr. Morrison’s emphasis on vaccination is clear as P.E.I. navigates this flu season. The health department is focused on encouraging residents to protect themselves and their community through vaccination.