While mass public clinics ended on December 18, the H1N1 vaccine is still available at public health units in Fraser Health, as well as through doctors’ offices and trained pharmacists. Use the flu locator to find out where you can get vaccinated.

Pregnant women

Non-adjuvanted vaccine is now available for pregnant women through maternity clinics, public H1N1 clinics and doctors’ offices that see obstetrical patients. Adjuvants are compounds that boost the immune system’s response to vaccine, allowing smaller doses to be used per person.

Updated guidelines for children without chronic health conditions

The Public Health Agency of Canada has updated its recommendations on H1N1 flu vaccine dosing for children between three years and nine years of age.

• Children without chronic health conditions between three and nine years of age inclusive should receive one half dose of adjuvanted vaccine and do not need a booster at this time ; the recommendation for no booster may change as further research becomes available.
• Children between three and nine years of age inclusive with chronic health conditions should receive two half doses of adjuvanted vaccine at least 21 days apart.
• All children aged 6 to 35 months should receive two half doses of adjuvanted vaccine at least 21 days apart.
• Children 10 years of age and older should receive one full dose of vaccine and do not need a booster.

Adjuvanted vs. Unadjuvanted Vaccines

The H1N1 vaccine comes in adjuvanted and unadjuvanted forms. Adjuvants are compounds that boost the immune system’s response to vaccine, leading to a better and longer lasting immune response. A version of the H1N1 vaccine without the adjuvant is now available for pregnant women through maternity clinics, public H1N1 clinics and doctors’ offices that see obstetrical patients.

Health Canada has also broadened its recommendation for the use of the unadjuvanted vaccine, making it available to healthy people between the ages of 10 and 65 so they can be vaccinated as soon as possible. Adjuvanted vaccine is still recommended for people with chronic health conditions. Broadening the use of unadjuvanted vaccine will not affect the supply for pregnant women.

Co-administration of seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines

People for whom the seasonal vaccine is normally recommended, including those aged 65 and older, will be able to receive both shots at H1N1 clinics. B.C.’s initial recommendation to delay the seasonal vaccination campaign for everyone under age 65 was made based on the best available evidence at that time. It is now recommended that individuals who want to be protected from both the H1N1 and seasonal flu virus should get both vaccinations at the same sitting.