Unadjuvanted Vaccine Available at H1N1 Clinics Starting November 13

AUTHORITY WIDE – Unadjuvanted vaccine for pregnant women at any stage of their pregnancy will be available starting Friday, November 13 at H1N1 immunization clinics taking place across Vancouver Island.

The initial supply of unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccine will be low, however, the Vancouver Island Health Authority will be receiving additional unadjuvanted vaccine starting next week.

Pregnant women who have not yet received the H1N1 vaccine are encouraged to get immunized. The unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccine will also be available for pregnant women through some maternity care providers including family doctors, obstetricians, midwives and nurse practitioners. Pregnant women should call their maternity care provider to confirm whether unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccine is available.

For more information about unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccine visit http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/fs-fi-pregnancy-grossesse-eng.php#s4

For updated information on H1N1 immunization clinic dates and times and vaccine eligibility, visit the Vancouver Island Health Authority website, www.viha.ca

H1N1 vaccine is currently available to individuals in high-risk groups only. These high-risk groups include:

• Those under 65 years with chronic health conditions (e.g. asthma, diabetes)
• Pregnant women
• People who live in rural and isolated settings and communities (including all First Nations people living on reserve).
• Children between six months and under five years old;
• Selected health care workers in high-risk acute care and primary care settings (ie. family physician offices, ICU, Emergency, midwives, nurse practitioners)
• Those under 65 years who are household contacts of infants less than six months; or
• Those under 65 years who are household contacts of persons who are immunocompromised

Please note that people 65 years and older are not considered high risk and are not eligible at this time.

For more information on pandemic influenza preparedness visit VIHA’s website at www.viha.ca/h1n1.

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Media Contact:

Val Wilson, VIHA Communications 250-739-6303