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At least one Ottawa senior has died of the flu since the season began earlier this fall, public health officials say.

The person, described only as over 65, died after been diagnosed with the flu in October.

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Flu kills people in Ottawa and across Canada every year, and it is not unusual to have a death so early in the flu season, according to Ottawa Public Health.

Seniors are at high risk and usually account for the majority of deaths.

Last year, Ottawa Public Health reported 34 flu-related deaths during influenza season. There were fewer in the two preceding years, but in 2014-2015, during which Influenza A H1N1 was predominant, there were 48 recorded deaths due to flu in Ottawa.

Not all deaths of patients with laboratory confirmed influenza are reported to OPH, and numerous factors can influence how sick people get with the flu.

News of the death comes as Ottawa Public Health has run out of the special high-dose vaccine developed and recommended for people over 65.

Marie-Claude Turcotte, program manager of the immunization unit at OPH said doctors might still have some of the high-dose vaccines in stock. But if it is not available, seniors are advised not to wait for another shipment but to get the regular flu shot.

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