B.C. has followed five other provinces and will limit the seasonal flu vaccine to those at highest risk of getting seasonal flu - those over 65 years.The seasonal flu vaccine will be available to those over 65 and those in long-term care homes beginning Oct. 13. A pneumococcal vaccine will be available at the same time for the high-risk people to prevent influenza-related pneumonia.
In November the H1N1 flu vaccine will be made available for anyone who wants it and needs it. Over six million doses have been ordered by the B.C. government.
By early 2010 the seasonal flu vaccine will be made available again for those under 65.
Government officials said the decision to stagger vaccinations in this way was based on research that suggested a potential association between prior seasonal flu shots and the risk of getting H1N1, the strains of flu that are currently circulating, the timing of the H1N1 vaccine becoming available and the possibility of an early fall wave of H1N1 flu.The Canadian research report that was considered is still under peer review and hasn’t been published, but preliminary findings suggested that those who get the seasonal flu shot are twice as likely to get H1N1.
Also suspending seasonal flu shots for those under 65 are Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Nova Scotia.
1 comment:
Your headline is incorrect. It isn't the H1N1 flu shots that are being restricted, it is the seasonal flu shots that are limited to those over 65 or of high risk. The article is correct.
Post a Comment