The Fraser Health Authority announced Wednesday it is postponing its annual seniors flu clinics in order to free up resources for its H1N1 vaccination program.

Dr. Roland Guasparini, Fraser Health’s chief medical health officer, said the delay is not expected to have an impact on the seasonal flu rate among seniors this winter.

“The flu virus that we are currently seeing in Fraser Health communities is the pandemic H1N1 flu virus,” he said.

One such seniors clinic was to be held this week at the Ridge Meadows Seniors’ Society, however, seniors in need of seasonal flu shots can still receive them from their physicians or at walk-in clinics, if they are eligible.

Seniors over the age of 65 are not currently eligible for the H1N1 vaccine because they are at a lower risk of contracting H1N1 flu. That’s because the H1N1 virus is related to flu strains that were present in the population before 1957, and anyone previously exposed to these viruses will have some immunity.

Generally, the older a person is, the more likely they are to have developed some immunity to the virus.

“We are not seeing many seniors with the pandemic H1N1 flu virus,” said Guasparini.

Fraser Health is coping with unprecedented demand for the new H1N1 vaccine, and they need every available body to help administer it, said Guasparini.

Despite long lines at walk-in clinics, and doctor’s offices, supply levels should be sufficient to immunize every at-risk person who wants the shot.

“We have enough vaccine for those groups,” said Guasparini, adding they account for close to 20 per cent of the population.

Fraser Health will operating a public drop-in H1N1 vaccine clinic Nov. 12 at the Maple Ridge Alliance Church, 20399 Dewdney Trunk Rd., for those who are considered at-risk. The H1N1 vaccine is also available from family doctors and walk-in clinics for those who are eligible.

Fraser Health’s seasonal flu clinics will be combined with H1N1 vaccine clinics later this month when the H1N1 vaccine is rolled out to the general public, providing a one-stop shopping for both flu vaccines.

“Same place, different arm,” said Guasparini.

The roll-out to the general public was originally scheduled to begin next week, however the vaccine’s manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, has struggled to keep up with demand.

“We didn’t get the supply we expected... but it’s coming,” said Guasparini. He estimated the general public would be able to get the vaccine beginning the week of Nov. 23 at the latest.

-with files

H1N1 vaccine eligibility

• People less than 65 years of age with chronic health conditions

• Pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy

• Children six months of age to four years of age

• People less than 65 years of age who are household members and care providers of infants less than six months of age

• People less than 65 years of age who are household members and care providers of people who have weakened immune systems

Local H1N1 clinic

Fraser Health will be operating a public drop-in H1N1 vaccine clinic Nov. 12 at the Maple Ridge Alliance Church, 20399 Dewdney Trunk Rd. Visit www.fraserhealth.ca for more information.