Health

H1N1 virus update: Friday, Nov. 27 (09/11/27)

NB 1892

Nov. 27, 2009

FREDERICTON (CNB) - The H1N1 vaccine is the safest, most effective way of protecting you and your family from the H1N1 flu virus.

As clinics for the public begin across the province, each New Brunswick resident wishing to receive the vaccine will have the opportunity to do so. With the provincial government's investment of $17.1 million, the vaccine will be free to all New Brunswickers who choose to be immunized.

New dosing recommendations issued by the chief medical officer of health for New Brunswick mean that most children three to nine years old do not need to return to an H1N1 immunization clinic for a second dose.

A second dose is recommended for children six months to 35 months old and for children three to nine years old who have one of the following chronic diseases:

• heart disease;
• diabetes;
• asthma and chronic lung disease;
• kidney disease;
• blood disorders;
• liver disease;
• persons with weakened immune systems (persons taking cancer drugs or those with HIV/AIDS); and
• neurological disorders.

A minimum of 21 days is required between vaccines to ensure the immune system has had a chance to respond.

Parents unable to attend a clinic right on the 21-day mark should be reassured that:

• good protection against the pandemic virus has been seen after the first dose even in the groups recommended to have a booster; and
• the 21-day limit is a minimum and not an ideal. Children will not be adversely affected if they receive a second dose a little later.

Clinics are still being offered in some schools and specifically for children requiring a second dose.

Clinics for the public are now being offered. Children who have yet to receive the vaccine or require their second dose are welcome to attend public clinics. Consent forms are required for people younger than 16. Immunization records for those children requiring a second dose should be brought to the clinic.

If individuals have not received the vaccine and are experiencing influenza-like symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention early if symptoms worsen.

The most up-to-date list of H1N1 immunization clinics may be found at www.gnb.ca/flu or by calling 1-800-580-0038. Clinic listings are updated continually. If you do not see a clinic that is convenient for you, please check back in a day or two.

Print media are asked not to print clinic lists since clinic information is subject to change. Local radio stations are strongly encouraged to share clinic listings for their listeners directly from www.gnb.ca/flu.

The next report will be issued on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

09/11/27

MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected]; Danielle Phillips, media relations, H1N1 pandemic, Department of Health, 506-444-3821.

09/11/27