Flu season lands in the Yukon

Good-bye election season, hello flu season.

The Yukon Government says more than a dozen cases of influenza have already been confirmed in the territory.

Yukon Immunization, a government website,saysthe first cases of the season are normally reported in late December or January.

The territory kickedoffits flu vaccine program today, with clinics starting in some Yukon communities.In Whitehorse, clinics for people at high risk,including those over 65 or pregnant, start Oct. 31, and public clinics startNov. 2.

The Yukon Government saysimmunization is the best way to prevent influenza, a viral infectionthat kills between 2,000 and 8,000 people in Canada every year.

Shots for all

The Yukon Government says it received a full shipment of the injectable vaccine, however a global shortage of the nasal spray means that option will not be available this year.

"There was just a supply issue with the active ingredient in theflumist. It's only made by the one company," explained Dr. Brendan Hanley, Yukon's chief medical officer of health, in an interview earlier this month.

"We are in the same boat as the rest of the country.So that's kind of a drag for kids."

In previous years, the spray was an option for those aged2 to 17.

Hanley says health professionals have a lot of strategies for helping assuage the fears of kids who don't likeneedles.