H1N1 update
H1N1 update
October 14, 2009 - 11:54am
Dear Haisla Community Members:
October 14, 2009
Re: ‘H1N1 (Swine Flu) and H3N2 (Seasonal) Flu Shot Vaccines ’
This letter is being sent to you to help inform you of the Seasonal flu and H1N1 Vaccine Programs being provided to all Canadian this year
How is flu immunization being rolled out this year?
· BC will be providing vaccines for both the seasonal flu virus and the H1N1 flu virus
· People 65 yrs of age and over and residents of long-term care homes living in BC will be offered the seasonal flu vaccine in October
· The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in November
· After the H1N1 has been rolled out the Seasonal flu vaccine (H3N2) will be available to persons under the age of 65 years of age according to the usual guidelines
Why are the two vaccines offered in these three phases?
· Firstly this sequencing better meets the logistical challenges of administering multiple vaccines this season.
· The H1N1 flu virus will be the main strain circulating in the Northern Hemisphere this fall
· While it would seem logical and efficient to administer both vaccines at the same time at present there is no scientific data to suggest that doing so is safe and effective
· We know that the elderly are more susceptible to serious complications and hospitalization from Seasonal flu infection. At the same time those born prior to 1957 appear to be less likely to become infected with H1N1
· There is emerging unpublished evidence showing a possible association between immunization with Seasonal flu vaccine and infection with H1N1 flu. Therefore People less than 65 years of age will wait to get the Seasonal flu shot until after the H1N1 flu vaccine and more time will allow for more research around this issue
If People are more at risk of getting sick or dying from the Seasonal flu why are we not offering the flu vaccine to everyone first?
· It is expected that as seen in the Southern hemisphere, that the H1N1 virus will be the predominant strain of circulating virus at least over the next 3 months here in the Northern hemisphere.
Why is seasonal flu vaccine not being offered as a universal program?
· The Seasonal flu shot program will be offered this year; however it has been delayed to allow people to be immunized with the H1N1 vaccine first.
H1N1 Vaccine Program
Who are the priority groups for receipt of H1N1 vaccine?
· The federal government has ordered enough H1N1 vaccine for any Canadian that needs and wants to be immunized. The basic approach is to ensure those that need the H1N1 vaccine the most get the vaccine first.
Groups chosen to receive H1N1 vaccine in the first sequence include:
· People under 65 with chronic conditions
· Pregnant women
· Healthy children 6 months up to 5 years of age
· Persons residing in remote and isolated settings or communities
· Health care workers involved in pandemic response or the delivery of essential health care services
· Household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines. These include:
o infants less than six months of age
o Person who are immunocompromised
· Populations otherwise identified at high risk
Others who would benefit from immunization include:
o Healthy children 5-18 years of age
o First responders
o Healthy adults between 19 and up to 64 years of age this age group is at increased risk for severe H1N1 disease)
Talk to a Nurse: BC Nurse Line Toll Free: 1-866-215-4700
Ø 24 hours a day 7 days a week
Ø Pharmacist available 5 pm to 9 am daily
Deaf or hearing impaired Toll Free 1-866-889-4700
Updated information regarding H1N1 is available on the BC Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport Website:http://www.gov.bc.ca/hls/index.html
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For more HealthLink BC File topics, visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca/healthfiles/index.stm or your local public health unit. Click on www.HealthLinkBC.ca or call 8-1-1 for Non-Emergency health information and services in B.C. For deaf and hearing-impaired assistance, call 7-1-1 in B.C. |
If you have any questions please call
Lucille Harms @ 632-3600
or
Kitimat PHU @ 632-3181 ext #1
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