As we all know, a huge transition has taken place with public health data. Influenza is now the primary direct cause of death in Nova Scotia, greater than COVID-19. Province’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Robert Strang, said a shocking 124 Nova Scotians have died from this year’s flu. This deeply sad intelligence arrives in the midst of the ongoing 2024-25 respiratory season. In comparison, there have been 108 COVID-19 deaths since the start of this respiratory virus season. This is a dramatic change in the competition between these two respiratory diseases.
Dr. Strang pointed out that pandemics don’t go on forever, and how COVID-19 is now in that endemic phase. Yet this dramatic turn of events has led health officials to reconsider the case for prevention. He stated, “These vaccines are very effective against preventing severe illness and death,” highlighting the importance of vaccination in mitigating the impact of both influenza and COVID-19.
Dr. Strang making a passionate case for continuation of public health measures. He thinks that these practices, which became critical during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, should continue. He wants you to do the same to prevent both influenza and COVID-19 so that we can fight them both safely and effectively.
In acknowledgment of the larger health crisis enveloping Ottawa, the province will increase eligibility for the RSV vaccine this coming fall. As of this season, people 75 years and older will be eligible for the RSV vaccine, irrespective of whether they live in a senior community. Until now, only people 60 and older were able to qualify. This eligibility was extended to individuals who lived in a long-term care facility or were waiting to be placed in one.
Reflecting on the early handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Strang and other health officials acknowledged the lessons learned during this unprecedented time. Nova Scotia has surpassed 1,000 COVID-19 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, further underscoring the need for continued vigilance.
Dr. Barrett cautioned against interpreting the decline in COVID-19 deaths relative to influenza fatalities as a positive development for public health. She emphasized that both diseases are still very real and dangerous threats to the public.
