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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Medical officials say those who don't get the flu shot this year are at a much higher risk of getting sick because the latest flu strains are newly-mutated.

The flu vaccine available this year contains three new strains of the flu virus. Officials say the flu strains circulating this season are very different from just two years ago. - NNSL file photo

Wanda White, communicable disease specialist for Health and Social Services, said the vaccine they are administering this year contains three completely new strains of the flu virus - all mutated versions of previous strains.

"We had all-new components to the flu vaccine this year," she said. "Last year we saw a big divergence from previous years. It has drifted quite substantially. So it's really important this year for people to get vaccinated because we are seeing a flu virus much different than, say, two years ago.

"It's a new bug and it will affect people because they won't have any protection because their systems have not seen this strain before."

Yellowknife Public Health gave approximately 2,700 flu shots so far this year, down from last year's numbers by almost 15 per cent. A public health official said it is possible numbers will level off by January but it's too early to tell.

Kathie Pender of occupational health and safety of infection control with the Stanton Regional Health Authority said they administered 279 flu vaccinations at the hospital this year. She also said they have yet to see any cases of the flu at the hospital, but believes it will only be a matter of time.

"We usually see it start around January," Pender said. "It's really important for people to do their best to take precautions."

Pender said people should wash their hands regularly and try to cough into their sleeve rather than into their hands or into the air. Avoiding work when sick with the flu is critical to preventing the spread of the virus.

White said washing hands will do a lot to prevent the spread of the flu virus.

"Washing your hands well about five times a day will reduce viral transmission by about 50 per cent," she said. "It's really important people wash their hands regularly."

Although flu vaccination clinics have recently concluded, White said shots are still available at any time through the Public Health Unit.

Flu shots are free for everyone covered under NWT health care.