- Influenza has claimed more lives than COVID-19 in Nova Scotia during the 2024–25 respiratory season.
- Experts warn that both viruses remain serious threats despite the shift in mortality statistics.
- Vaccination rates are declining, prompting renewed calls for public health vigilance.
For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza has overtaken COVID-19 as the leading cause of virus-related deaths in Nova Scotia. The province’s latest respiratory watch report indicates 124 deaths attributed to influenza so far in the 2024–25 respiratory season (running from August 25, 2024, to August 29, 2025), compared to 108 deaths from COVID-19.
A Worrying Trend, Not a Return to Normal
Dr. Lisa Barrett, an infectious diseases specialist and researcher at Dalhousie University, warned against interpreting the numbers as a positive sign.
“Some people have said, ‘Oh, thank goodness, we’re back to normal,’” said Barrett. “And I’m like, ‘Well, now we’ve got two viruses—not just one one-that are still in the really important category for hospitalizations, bad lungs and deaths.’”
She noted that this year’s global flu season ranks among the worst in the past decade. “Yes, influenza has taken over from COVID, but they’re both higher than we’d like them to be.”
Health Officials Stress Continued Vigilance
Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Strang, said the current figures are part of the natural transition as COVID-19 becomes endemic.
“This is what we’d expect as we return to more of a normal respiratory virus season with a mix of viruses,” Strang said.
He emphasized that while the public’s fear of COVID-19 may have declined, all respiratory viruses — including RSV — still pose significant health risks.
“We don’t need to be as strongly afraid of COVID, but we need to be very respectful and take seriously all respiratory viruses,” he said.
Strang continues to advocate for proven preventive measures: handwashing, appropriate mask use, staying home when sick, and especially vaccination.
Declining Vaccination Rates Raise Concern
Despite these recommendations, vaccine uptake has decreased. Only 29% of Nova Scotians received the flu vaccine for the 2024–25 season, while just 18% got the COVID-19 vaccine. This marks a drop from the previous year’s rates of 32.8% (flu) and 22.8% (COVID-19).
“These vaccines are very effective in preventing severe illness and death,” Strang said. “That’s what we should be focusing on. How do we reduce the number of respiratory virus deaths? And it’s through vaccines.”
RSV Vaccine Eligibility to Expand This Fall
To further protect vulnerable groups, the province will expand eligibility for the RSV vaccine this fall. Individuals aged 75 and older, regardless of their residence, will now be eligible. Previously, the publicly funded vaccine was limited to people 60+ in long-term care or in hospital awaiting placement.
The update reflects a broader public health push to minimize hospitalizations and fatalities from all respiratory viruses as Nova Scotia navigates a challenging 2024–25 season.
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Source: CBC
