Canadian H1N1 vaccination recommendations updated

The Public Health Agency of Canada updated the official dosing recommendations for the H1N1 vaccine with a caveat attached: These recommendations may be updated as more information becomes available.

For healthy kids between three years and nine years of age the good news is now official, they are only required to endure one half-dose of the adjuvanted H1N1 flu vaccine — for now. Note the for now. This recommendation could change. Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada’s chief public health officer, said not having to line up twice was good news for both children and the general population. “It frees up resources that can be devoted to immunizing priority at-risk populations, which means that the H1N1 vaccine will be available for the general public sooner.” The Public Health Agency of Canada said Thursday that clinical trials in Europe have shown a single half-dose of adjuvanted vaccine results in an “acceptable level” of immunity in certain groups. But not all children are escaping with only one needle. Children over six months but less than three years should be given two half-doses of vaccine, as should children from three to nine years of age with chronic medical conditions. There is a minimum waiting period of 21 days between the two half-dose vaccinations. The adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine is now recommended for everyone except infants five months of age and younger, a group for whom no H1N1 vaccine has been approved, and pregnant women, who should receive the unadjuvanted vaccine. For those 10 or older, including seniors, one dose of the adjuvanted vaccine is sufficient. In areas where rates of H1N1 flu are high or increasing, the Public Health Agency recommends expectant women past the 20 week point in their pregnancy should be offered the adjuvanted vaccine if the unadjuvanted is unavailable. Worries about mixing the H1N1 flu vaccination with the seasonal flu shot have been put to rest. The Public Health Agency says not to worry. Just make sure the injections are in different arms. There is no minimum interval between receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine and other vaccines. To learn more visit fightflu.ca or call 1-800-O-Canada (1-800-622-6232) (TTY 1-800-926-9105)