Manitoba Health advises the province received 204,000 doses of vaccine with adjuvant this week. Doctors’ offices are now able to request the H1N1 vaccine and 139,500 doses from this shipment are being held to fill orders as they come in. The remainder of the vaccine has been distributed to the regional health authorities (RHAs).
As of this morning, 54 doctors’ offices have ordered 9,200 doses of the vaccine. The vaccine has been available to Manitobans in doctors’ offices since Wednesday.
To date, Manitoba has received and distributed a total of 755,100 doses of vaccine. At the end of the day Tuesday, nearly 384,000 shots had been given by regional health authorities, about 32 per cent of Manitobans. Vaccine that has been received but not yet administered will be used in this week’s flu shot clinics, other outreach efforts in regional health authorities and to fill orders from doctors’ offices. The number of Manitobans who are vaccinated increases hourly as clinics continue their work.
Manitoba has been advised that it will receive 104,000 doses of vaccine with adjuvant next week.
H1N1 Flu Shots
Manitobans should contact their physician or regional health authority to get up-to-date information on where the flu shot is available. Manitobans who need, want and are expected to benefit from the H1N1 flu shot should get it as soon as is practical to get the maximum benefit from the vaccine.
As of Nov. 28 in Manitoba, there have been 14 serious adverse events following immunization which have been reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Ten of the serious adverse events have been classified as anaphylaxis, an immediate allergic reaction to the vaccine. There have been no reports of ongoing effects related to these 10 adverse events. None of the reported serious adverse events following immunization in Manitoba have been Guillain-Barré syndrome. A total of 287 adverse events have been reported including a range of reactions at the injection site, coughing, headache, fatigue, feeling unwell or fainting. It is important to note these adverse events have followed immunization but may not necessarily have been caused by immunization. Serious adverse events are investigated to determine the cause.
The H1N1 virus has continued to circulate across the province and serious illness has continued to occur. It is estimated that up to half of Manitobans are still susceptible to an H1N1 infection.
In addition to getting the H1N1 flu shot, eligible Manitobans are encouraged to get their seasonal flu and pneumococcal shots. This fall, over 67,000 Manitobans have received their seasonal flu shot and over 7,200 have received the pneumococcal shot.
H1N1 Flu
During the week of Nov. 24 to 30, reports provided to Manitoba Health include four Manitobans with a positive lab test for H1N1 who have been admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). Two other Manitobans have been admitted to ICU with severe respiratory illness. Since Oct. 6, when the second wave began, a total of 49 people with positive H1N1 tests have been admitted to hospital, 13 of which were admitted to an ICU. In addition, several patients have been admitted to hospital with illness suspected to be caused by H1N1. Information about these cases continues to be gathered through public health investigation and statistics may change.
During the week of Nov. 24 to 30, Cadham Provincial Laboratory reported 369 positive H1N1 tests to Manitoba Health. Since the second wave of H1N1 flu began on Oct. 6, the lab has reported a total of 1,613 positive H1N1 tests. Of these, 48 per cent (773) were children aged 17 and under. Another 51 per cent (817) were adults aged 18 to 64 and one per cent (23) was aged 65 or older. Fifty-two per cent were women and 48 per cent were men. Lab-confirmed cases do not reflect the actual number of people with the illness, nor do the numbers indicate the seriousness of illness any individual may experience.
Manitobans are encouraged to contact their nearest health-care provider or visit the nearest health-care centre if they have mild 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.
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, or
• any signs of serious illness in a child under five years of age.
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).
