Who should get the H1N1 vaccine?
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Updated: October 28, 2009 7:55 AM
Dr. Andrew Larder, Interior Health senior medical health officer, says immunization is the single most important tool in combating the pandemic.
The people most at high risk will be first in line for the shot the first week:
• Pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy
• Those under 65 years with chronic conditions.
• Those living in rural and remote or First Nations.
The next group to be eligible for vaccination, starting Nov. 2:
• Children six to 59 months.
• Household contacts and care providers of infants less than six months of age.
• Those who are immunocompromised and health-care workers will get their shots.
After that, anyone who wants the shot can get one.
Seniors and other residents, who qualify for free seasonal flu shots, are being advised to get both shots at the same time, one in each arm.
Seniors over 65 years appear to have some immunity to the H1N1 virus and have the lowest risk of complications, but Larder says anyone who wants the vaccine can have it, probably in three to four weeks time and after higher risk populations have been inoculated.
The vaccination contains an adjuvant that produces a stronger immunity and there had been discussion that pregnant women should wait for a non-adjuvante vaccine. However, Larder says on the basis of a risk-benefit analysis, there is a very significant risk if they get H1N1, so the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the potential risk.
The non-adjuvant vaccine will not be available for another three or four weeks.
Larder says the consequences of a pregnant woman not getting the shot could lead to admission to the intensive care unit, use of a ventilator for breathing and death.
“If mom dies, the baby dies.”
Larder says anyone who had H1N1 recently, which has been confirmed by a lab, doesn’t need the vaccine as they will have immunity.
However, those who might have had H1N1 but it was not confirmed, should get vaccinated.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry and there’s no risk to getting the vaccine.”
There can be reactions to the H1N1 inoculation, such as local soreness on the arm, lymph node tenderness in the armpits and short-lived fever or muscle aches and pains, but Larder says these are not serious and have no long-term consequences.
As the campaign rolls out, he says, any adverse reactions will be monitored, but he doesn’t expect greater frequency of adverse reactions than with the seasonal flu vaccines.
Larder says he believes the vaccine is perfectly safe, and the approval process for vaccines aims to protect people.
Along with the vaccine, Larder recommends good hygiene and isolation if people become sick.
Anyone concerned about their flu-like symptoms, he says, should phone their family physician or HealthLink BC at 811 where a nurse can answer questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If they get infected, those at high risk of serious complications will be treated with antiviral drugs, Larder explains.
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