Flu Surge Hits Ontario as Vaccine Hesitancy Persists

As of November 14, 2025, flu cases are on the rise across Ontario, with public health data showing nearly 2% of tests coming back positive in the last week of October. Experts warn that the number of cases is expected to continue increasing, especially among children.

However, vaccine hesitancy and apathy persist in the province, with some residents reluctant to get the flu shot. Healthcare professionals, including infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch and pharmacist Sandra Hanna, are urging Ontarians to get immunized, as the flu shot remains the best way to prevent infection.

Complicating matters is the emergence of a new influenza A strain, H3N2, which is typically associated with more severe infections, particularly among older individuals. Some experts believe this latest mutation has widened the gap between the virus and the available flu vaccine, potentially reducing its effectiveness.

Despite this, Hanna and Bogoch emphasize that the vaccine is still better than no protection at all, and that getting the shot is crucial to maintaining individual and community health, especially as the province heads into the winter months.