H1N1 Vaccine Supply
Manitoba Health advises the province has received 36,500 doses of vaccine with adjuvant this week. This vaccine has been distributed to the regional health authorities (RHAs).
In addition, Manitoba received 9,200 doses of vaccine without an adjuvant from Australia last week, which was shipped to the RHAs. This is being targeted initially to pregnant women in the province.
Manitoba has also received 39,900 doses of Canadian-made vaccine without an adjuvant. The province received approvals this morning to pre-position this vaccine in regional health authorities, so it will be shipped out today. Once this vaccine is licensed, the province will review information from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on how it can be used to provide further direction to regional health authorities.
Manitoba has been advised that it will receive 43,500 does of adjuvanted vaccine next week. As of Nov. 11, Manitoba had received and distributed a total of 269,200 doses of vaccine. At the end of the day Tuesday, nearly 200,000 shots had been given to Manitobans. All vaccine has been sent to RHAs to administer through clinics and by appointment.
H1N1 Flu Shots
The H1N1 flu shot is now available to all Manitobans aged six months to under 18 years, in addition to the first priority groups. Manitoba has observed an increase in emergency-room and health-care provider visits for school-aged children with influenza-like symptoms. Immunizing this group should also reduce the risk of and help to address concerns about severe illness and death in school-aged children. Providing H1N1 flu shots to school-age children should help reduce the spread of disease to others and help protect all family members who may be at risk.
Manitoba will be following PHAC’s vaccine dosage recommendations for children, which were announced earlier today:
• Children between six months of age and under three years of age should receive two half doses of adjuvanted H1N1 flu vaccine, administered at least 21 days apart.
• Children with chronic health conditions who are between three and nine years of age should received their first half dose of the H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as possible. They should also receive a second half doses of the vaccine. The interval between the two half doses should be a minimum of 21 days.
• Healthy children between three and nine years of age should only receive a single half doses of the H1N1 vaccine and do not need to return for a second vaccine for now. This recommendation may be updated as more information becomes available.
RHAs are adapting their clinics based on the supply and demand for vaccine, reaching the priority groups and other geographic and population realities of each RHA. Manitobans are encouraged to contact their RHA for up-to-date flu clinic information.
H1N1 Flu
As of yesterday, there were nine individuals hospitalized in intensive care with severe respiratory illnesses, and five were on ventilators. Two have been confirmed to have H1N1 flu.
To date, the individuals who are in intensive care reflect the same risk factors that caused severe illness in the spring during the first wave of the pandemic flu. The individuals are in the first priority group for vaccine, comprising those Manitobans who would benefit the most from getting the H1N1 shot now:
• children aged six months to under five years old;
• anyone of Aboriginal ancestry (First Nations, Métis or Inuit);
• disadvantaged individuals (for example, the homeless);
• people living in remote or isolated areas;
• people under 65 with a chronic medical condition or other risk including severe obesity, substance abuse or alcoholism;
• anyone with a weakened immune system or those who live with or care for them;
• those who live with or care for infants under six months old;
• single parents or anyone solely responsible for a dependent;
• health-care workers and medical first responders; and
• pregnant women.
During the week of Nov. 3 to 9, Manitoba Health reported 225 additional lab-confirmed cases of H1N1 bringing to 291 the total number of known cases confirmed since Oct. 6 when the second wave of H1N1 flu began. Lab-confirmed cases do not reflect the actual number of people with the illness, nor do the numbers indicate the seriousness of disease any individual may experience.
Additional measures to help prevent flu infections:
• Cover your cough by coughing into your elbow or sleeve or use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Place the tissue in the garbage.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Hand sanitizers may also be effective.
• Reduce the spread of germs. Limit touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Maintain your health by making healthy food choices, being physically active and getting enough sleep.
Manitobans are reminded to watch for signs of severe illness. If you or a family member has any of the following symptoms, go directly to an emergency room, nursing station or health-care provider or call 911:
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing,
• severe or worsening symptoms,
• dehydration,
• drowsiness or confusion,
• fever in an infant under three months old, and
• any signs of serious illness in a child under five years of age.
Manitobans are encouraged to contact their nearest health-care provider or visit the nearest health-care centre if they have flu symptoms and risks for severe illness or are concerned they may need care, especially if symptoms are severe or worsening. Early treatment (within 24 to 48 hours) may be very important.
More information on H1N1 flu is available at www.manitoba.ca/flu or Health Links–Info Santé at 788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).
