H1N1 Update
Download TBDHU’s latest Flu Clinic Schedule for the Northshore & Greenstone
TBDHU Flu Clinic Schedule – Northshore & Greenstone
Uncertainties regarding need for children to receive 2nd
dose of H1N1 Vaccine
by Karina Hunter
Debate regarding 2nd dose of H1N1 vaccine for children under 10 continues.
Health Minister Deb Matthews announced last week that Ontario would soon run out of the flu vaccine, TBDHU representatives assure that this is not a concern within the District of Thunder Bay which, as of Monday, November 9th had approximately 20,000 of the original 62,000 doses of regular H1N1 Flu Vaccine remaining for distribution across the district.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested that a second dose for children under 10 years of age will not be necessary saying that “Data on immunogenicity in children older than 6 months and younger than 10 years are limited and more studies are needed” where national authorities have made children a priority for early vaccination, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization, which advises WHO on policies and strategies for vaccines and immunization recommended that priority be given to the administration of one dose of vaccine to as many children as possible. Parents of Manitouwadge children under 10 years who have yet to receive a dose of H1N1 should contact the Manitouwadge Branch of TBDHU for more information regarding where to access vaccination for their children. TBDHU has yet to release a statement regarding whether children under 10 years of age will continue to be recommended a 2nd dose of H1N1 vaccine which most parents expected their children to receive November 24th, when this statement is released, it will be posted at www.karinahunter.com.
Second round vaccinations are not child's play, research continues.
The first round of Flu Clinics on the Northshore were very successful; in Manitouwadge 652 people received the H1N1 Flu Vaccine at TBDHU’s initial clinic, another 119 people were vaccinated at the Manitouwadge Medical Clinic’s Flu Clinic for students; similarly at TBDHU’s Flu Cinic in Marathon approximately 600 people were vaccinated with the H1N1 Vaccine and another 200+ received the Seasonal Flu Vaccine. Manitouwadge’s next Flu Clinic is schedule for November 24th in the Theatre of Manitouwadge High School where persons under 65 years of age will receive the Seasonal Flu Vaccine while those 65+ will be administered the H1N1 Flu Vaccine.
The Public Health Agency of Canada still recommends that getting the H1N1 flu vaccine is the best way for Canadians to protect themselves and others from getting infected. TBDHU also recommends that in addition to being vaccinated with both the H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccines you should:
- Keep your hands clean by washing often with soap and water, or by using alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60%)
- Stay home if you are sick
- Cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve or a tissue, not your hand. Immediately dispose of tissues in the garbage.
- Keep commonly touched surfaces – including phones, remote controls, and door knobs – clean and disinfected.
- Protect yourself and others by talking to a health care provider about Seasonal and H1N1 Flu vaccines.
Within the TBDHU’s jurisdiction, a man and woman who had been infected with H1N1 have died, each had underlying symptoms.
Submitted to The Echo, 11.09.09
