Health unit releases swine flu vaccination schedule

The Sudbury and District Health Unit will begin holding H1N1 influenza (known commonly as swine flu) clinics  as of Oct. 26.

The H1N1 flu virus is present in area communities, and getting the H1N1 flu vaccine is the best defense against this strain of flu, stated a press release from the health unit.

“I strongly recommend that everyone over the age of six months receive the H1N1 flu vaccine,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Sudbury and district medical officer of health, in the press release.

“People less than 65 years of age have very little or no immunity against the H1N1 flu strain. The vaccine has undergone a strict regulatory process to ensure its safety and effectiveness.”

There will be enough vaccine for everyone who wants to be vaccinated. At first, however, the health unit will receive limited quantities of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

Therefore, the first round of health unit clinics are only for those who are at risk of severe health complications if infected with the virus and for care providers. 

Everyone else is asked to hold off for two to three weeks, until the second round of health unit clinics.  This will ensure that those most vulnerable and those who care for them have first access to the vaccine.  

Who can come to the first round of H1N1 flu vaccine clinics?

• The following groups of people are eligible to come to the first Health Unit community clinics:
• People under 65 years of age with chronic conditions
• Pregnant women
• Healthy children from six months to under five years of age
• People living 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 people at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines

Who else can benefit from the second round of H1N1 flu vaccine clinics?

• Healthy children five to 18 years of age
• First responders
• Swine and poultry workers
• Healthy adults between 19 and up to 64 years of age
• Adults 65 years of age and over

The H1N1 vaccine that is available now contains a natural organic product, called adjuvant. Vaccines produced with adjuvant offer stronger and broader based protection. The adjuvant is made using water, squalene, a biodegradable oil, and vitamin E oil.

Vaccine without adjuvant will not be available until early or mid-November.

All pregnant women with pre-existing health conditions, and healthy pregnant women in the second half of their pregnancy (more than 20 weeks) should speak to their health care provider about receiving the vaccine with adjuvant.

Healthy pregnant women in the first half of their pregnancy are at less risk of complications from the flu. The preferred option for these women is to receive the vaccine without adjuvant, when it is available.

“I want to be particularly clear about the vaccine message for pregnant women,” said Dr. Sutcliffe.  “All pregnant women should consider the H1N1 vaccine as they are at the highest risk of severe disease.  All pregnant women should be discussing their options with their health care providers.” 

Currently, one dose of the H1N1 vaccine is required for everyone except for children under the age of 10, for whom two half doses are required, given a minimum of three weeks apart.

The clinic dates and times for the H1N1 flu vaccine are posted on the Sudbury & District Health Unit’s website at www.sdhu.com, and will be published in local newspapers.

The vaccine is also available - by appointment only - Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Health Unit offices in Sudbury, Espanola, St. Charles, Chapleau, and Mindemoya.

The vaccine will also be available through some health care providers, but people should call their health care providers to see if the vaccine is available and to make appointments.

To see the clinic schedule, visit http://www.sdhu.com/uploads/content/listings/H1N1fluvaccineclinics-fullschedule-finalweb.pdf