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Ottawa Children Die From Flu: Urgent Call for Vaccines
15 Dec
Summary
- Three children aged five to nine have died from influenza this month.
- Ottawa Public Health urges immediate flu vaccination for all.
- Children's hospital reports a concerning rise in flu-related visits.
Health officials in Ottawa and a neighbouring region have reported the deaths of three children, aged five to nine, due to influenza complications this month. Both Ottawa Public Health and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit are strongly advising everyone to get their flu vaccinations as soon as possible.
Citing a rise in severe illness, health authorities emphasized the critical importance of vaccination, particularly for children. They also urged parents and caregivers to get vaccinated themselves as a measure to protect young ones. CHEO, Ottawa's children's hospital, has noted a worrying increase in flu-related emergency visits last month.
Last week, CHEO reached out to family doctors in the area to intensify their efforts in combating the flu. Current flu levels in the capital are described as "very high" and continuing to climb, according to the latest official update from Ottawa Public Health. National flu data requires careful interpretation due to varying reporting methods across different jurisdictions.
