Sault Area Hospital Urges Flu Vaccination as H3N2 Strain Impacts Children More Severely This Season

December 23, 2025 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – As the respiratory illness season continues, Sault Area Hospital (SAH) is urging families to take preventive action, including influenza vaccination, as the current flu season is placing increased pressure on the healthcare system — particularly due to the impact on infants and children.

This year’s flu season has been especially challenging because of a shift toward the H3N2 influenza strain. Many young children have little to no previous exposure to this strain, making them more vulnerable to infection and severe illness. As a result, SAH is seeing more pediatric cases, increased hospital visits, more severe symptoms, and longer durations of illness compared to previous seasons.

“Our teams have cared for several children with critical illness related to influenza this season,” said Dr. Jonathan DellaVedova, Director of Women and Children’s Health and Chief of Pediatric and Neonatal Services at Sault Area Hospital. “The H3N2 strain is hitting young children particularly hard because their immune systems haven’t seen this virus before. We’re seeing more infections, more hospitalizations, and more severe symptoms than we typically expect.

This underscores how serious the flu can be for children and how important prevention truly is.” Flu season places real strain on hospital capacity. Preventable illness can disrupt patient care, contribute to outbreaks, and impact access to services for those who need care most.

The flu shot remains one of the most effective tools to reduce severe illness and hospitalizations. It is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, is safe, and is free for people who live, work, or study in Ontario.

Parents and caregivers are also reminded that children receiving the flu vaccine for the first time require two doses. The first dose helps prime the immune system, while the second dose supports the development of antibodies that help the body fight the virus more effectively.

In addition to vaccination, SAH encourages the community to take everyday preventive
measures to reduce the spread of respiratory illness, including staying home when feeling unwell, keeping children home when they show symptoms of a new illness, and wearing a mask in public or crowded settings when appropriate.

For more information about flu vaccination in Ontario, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/flu-facts#section-2