H1N1 infections on upswing

Dr. Perry Kendall doesn’t know if

the H1N1 virus has hit its peak, but indications are showing an increase in infections.

The Provincial Health Officer says it could go on to Christmas in some parts of the province, and he is pretty sure it will come back.

“It will certainly be around in the population for the next few years.”

By the end of this week, Kendall says, more than 800,000 British Columbians will have been vaccinated, around 20 per cent of the population.

The company making the drug, GlaxoSmithKline Inc., has run into problems supplying the drug as quickly as expected, he adds, so demand will outstrip supply.

However, Kendall insists everyone who wants the vaccine will get it, but they might have to wait until late November or early December.

“The school-age population is pretty much infected, but even if H1N1 goes through a school, it’s unlikely more than 35 per cent of the population is affected.”

That leaves 65 per cent of them who are not affected, Kendall says, so it’s still worthwhile for them to get vaccinated.

It was previously thought children under 10 would need two half doses three weeks apart, but Kendall notes the second dose might not be necessary.

“We need to adapt plans as new information becomes available.”

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