No one immune to this flu
By Jasmine Franklin
H1N1 vaccines will be the focus of this year’s flu season, with vaccinations starting in November, interrupting the regular flu-season immunization process.
In a press conference Oct. 1, Minister of Health and Wellness Ron Liepert said Albertans need to do their part in protecting not only themselves, but those around them, by getting immunized for H1N1.
“Many Albertans aren’t taking this seriously,” Liepert said. “It’s not just about protecting yourself but your family and friends — I’m going to get immunized.”
Albertans however will have only one month to get immunized for the seasonal flu before those vaccinations are interrupted and the H1N1 vaccine is introduced.
Clinics will begin giving seasonal flu shots Oct. 13 through mass immunization clinics and seniors lodges, until November when the H1N1 vaccine arrives. The H1N1 vaccine will be given until the Christmas holidays and seasonal flu shots will commence in the new year.
So far, 129 Albertans have been hospitalized for H1N1 — eight have died.
Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Andre′ Corriveau, said the reason both immunizations can’t be given jointly is because there’s no clinical data to ensure that is safe.
“The important thing to remember is that no one is immune to H1N1,” Dr.Corriveau said. “In the southern hemisphere 70 to 90 per cent of flu strains were H1N1.”
Officials urge that high-risk individuals receive vaccinations first. For the seasonal flu, priority vaccinations include those over the age of 65, health care workers and children between six and 23 months old. Liepert stressed however, anyone who wishes to be vaccinated will not be turned away.
High-risk individuals for H1N1 are different — anyone under the age of 65 with a chronic or pre-disposed illness, pregnant woman and those in remote communities. Parents are urged to have their infant children vaccinated.
Work has also been done with homeless shelters to ensure the vaccine will be available and that precaution measures such as proper hand-washing instruction and information on the virus has been circulated.
Dr. Gerry Predy, Alberta Health Services senior medical officer of health, said the H1N1 plan is available on the Alberta Health website and is subject to change as more information about H1N1 is discovered.
“Depending on the degree of the situation, the plan will contemplate treating people in communities and at home,” Predy said. “The plan is adaptable and covers a wide range of areas. It’s not static — as we learn more about the virus we will adapt the plan.”