Manitoba Health and Healthy Living advises it will launch a modified start to its seasonal influenza vaccination campaign this fall, focusing first on people over 65 years of age and personal-care home residents. Following the H1N1 vaccination campaign, it’s expected the seasonal flu shot will also be recommended for other eligible Manitobans.
The seasonal flu shot will be initially recommended primarily for eligible Manitobans who are considered at greater risk from seasonal flu and would be expected to benefit the most, specifically:
• Manitobans age 65 or older, and
• people who live in personal-care homes or other long-term care facilities.
A preliminary draft of an unpublished Canadian study has suggested an association between previous seasonal flu vaccinations and H1N1 flu. Manitoba is taking a cautious, phased-in approach to seasonal flu vaccination this year while the study’s findings are assessed and other information is analyzed including Manitoba’s own data. The Public Health Agency of Canada has stated that an expert panel is reviewing the study.
Manitoba Public Health continues to encourage vaccination for individuals of any age who are considered by their health-care providers to be at high risk of complications related to seasonal flu. Manitoba has increased its surveillance for influenza and other causes of flu-like illnesses this year so the flu strategy can be adapted appropriately. The province will continue to provide Manitobans with updated public health advice.
Regional health authorities across the province will be focusing their seasonal flu campaigns and considering which approaches will increase outreach to seniors to ensure the vaccine is accessible.
Manitobans aged 65 and over are also eligible to get a pneumococcal shot at the same time they get the seasonal flu shot, if they have not already received it. This vaccination can prevent pneumonia, blood infection and meningitis caused by pneumococcal bacteria.
The H1N1 flu virus is expected to be the main flu strain circulating in Manitoba over this fall and winter. In general, seniors have been most at risk for complications from seasonal flu, while younger people have been more at risk for complications from H1N1 flu. People if all ages with chronic or other health conditions of concern should consult with their health-care provider about whether they need one or both vaccines. Manitoba’s H1N1 vaccine prioritization list will be released soon and it is expected the vaccine will be available this fall.
Information about seasonal and H1N1 flu and the provincial vaccine campaigns is available at www.manitoba.ca. Manitobans who have questions about whether the seasonal, H1N1 or both vaccines are right for them should contact their health-care provider, visit an upcoming seasonal flu clinic, or call Health Links–Info Santé at 788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).
