The flu is likely to be mild to moderate this year, says an associate medical officer of Ottawa Public Health.

Health officials can in no way know for sure how bad the flu will be as the virus changes at all times, but they do look to Australia as a predictor, said Dr Geneviève Cadieux.

As compared to the previous year, Australia had fewer deaths this year and also they have fewer hospitalizations, and health officials are looking forward to adopt the same pattern here.

First Flu Clinic Starts Saturday

The first flu clinic starts Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm at All Saints High School in Kanata and other clinics can be found online.

Yet in the past few years, the efficiency of the flu shot has been low.

High-Dose Vaccine for the First Time

There are high-dose vaccines for the first time in Ontario for people who are 65 and above, which will help individuals with weakened immune systems.

In Ottawa, there are over 300 family doctors and more than 200 pharmacies, which can provide flu shots.

Dr. Cadieux said everyone who is older than six months old should get the flu shot.