Trudeau urges Canadians to get their COVID, flu shots to avoid other health measures

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is urging Canadians to get theirinfluenzaand COVID-19 vaccines soon to avoid the need for additional health measures this winter.

Speaking at an announcement in Kanata, Ont.onMonday, Trudeau encouraged Canadians to ensure theyreceivethe full complement of COVID-19and seasonalflu vaccines.

"If we are able to get a high enough of level of vaccination, we reduce the danger of having to take other health measures tomake sure that we're all safe and not overloading our hospitals," Trudeausaid.

His remarks cameas health officials expressconcerns over recentupward trends in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr.Kieran Mooresaid last week thathe'll recommend the return of mask mandates ifthe province'shealth care system becomes too strained.

In much of the country, emergency rooms are hoveringabove full capacity.

COVID-19vaccinations stall, high flu circulation expected

The shareof the population that hasreceived the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine one or two doses, depending on the producthas levelled out at around 80 per cent since February. About 49 per cent of Canadianshave received the primary series and one additional booster.

Ontario opened appointments Monday for everyone aged 12 and over to receive Omicron-targeted vaccine doses. Earlier this month, HealthCanada approved anupdated Pfizer BioNTech Comirnaty vaccinethat targets the most common variants of the virus currently inthe country.

"There are new formulations that cover both Omicron and the original strain of COVID," Trudeau said. "We encourage everyone to get those vaccinations to keep pressure off of our hospitals, off our frontline heroes who are working so hard to keep people safe, but also tokeep pressureoff of our economy and our communities."

In a statement released earlier this month, the National Advisory Committee on Immunizationissued arecommendation that everyone aged 12 and older be offered a fall COVID-19 booster dose, regardless of the number of booster doses previously received.

The committee also said its "preferred" product for booster doses is a bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

With cold weather approaching, relatively lowflu circulationover the last two years puts children at a greater risk than usual of catching the illness,infectious disease experts have told CBC.