Northwest Territories bracing for viral surge, medicine shortages

While a shortage of over-the-counter and prescription medication is being felt across Canada, it's worse in some regions of the North: "It's harder than in places down South."

With respiratory infections, colds and the flu making waves — and headlines– across Canada, the Northwest Territories is bracing for a hit, while the Yukon hasn’t seen a ripple and Nunavut reports they were hit months ago.

Frequent travel done between the NWT and Alberta for work and health services has the territorial government looking south, and not liking what they see as respiratory viruses take a toll on the health system in Alberta.

“The (chief public health officer) is expecting a high amount of respiratory illness in the NWT in the coming weeks, especially as people travel for the holidays and many events move indoors and in smaller spaces,” said Jeremy Bird, spokesperson for NWT’s Department of Health and Social Services.

“However, if people stay home when they are sick, get vaccinated when they can and follow healthy habits, the CPHO (Office of the Chief Public Health Officer) does not expect high incidences of severe outcomes.”

NWT has made public service announcements encouraging residents to get a flu shot and be up to date on COVID-19 boosters amid concerns about a potential rise in cases — and the impact a surge could have on the territory’s health-care system.

Respiratory illnesses hit off-season in Nunavut this year — in the spring and summer, forcing the territorial government to start its Palivizumab vaccination program for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in May when faced with a spike in respiratory infections along with colds and flu. The program ran through August until levels returned to summer normals.

Hoping to prevent a new wave from taking hold this season, the government launched its flu shot program in October along with a plea for Nunavummiut to get up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines and on Nov. 15, restarted the RSV vaccine campaign.

“This past June, (the territorial government) expanded its eligibility criteria for the Palivizumab program, which may yield a higher than average uptake of the vaccine,” said Danarae Sommerville, who is with Nunavut’s health department.