All BC Residents Now Eligible for Pandemic H1N1 Vaccine

Beginning today pH1N1 vaccine may be given to all BC residents aged 6 months and over.

Pregnant women should be offered unadjuvanted vaccine; please only pick up unadjuvanted vaccine for pregnant women in your practices to be sure we have enough to offer to any pregnant women who have not yet come forward for immunization.

If you immunize a health care worker please give him/her written confirmation as their employer may require proof of immunization.

pH1N1 vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines, including seasonal influenza vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine and routine childhood immunizations. It should be delivered in a limb by itself. Additional information is available in the BCCDC Immunization Manual at http://www.bccdc.ca/dis-cond/comm-manual/CDManualChap2.htm.

Please note the previously-revised dosing recommendations for healthy children aged 3 – 9 years (see www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/vacc/recommendation-recommandation-eng.php for a complete summary of current dosing recommendations):

• Healthy children between 3 and 9 years of age inclusive should receive one half dose of adjuvanted vaccine (0.25 cc) and do not need a booster at this time; the recommendation for no booster may change as further research becomes available;
• Children between 3 and 9 years of age inclusive with underlying medical conditions should receive two half doses of adjuvanted vaccine (0.25 cc each) at least 21 days apart;
• All children aged 6 to 35 months should receive two half doses of adjuvanted vaccine (0.25 cc each) at least 21 days apart; and
• Children 10 years of age and older should receive one full dose of vaccine (0.5 cc) and do not need a booster.

Vaccine availability changes daily, so please check regularly at your local Health Unit for updated information (see HU contact info below). Please ask your MOA to let the Health Unit know how many physicians work in the office.

For information on the pH1N1 immunization program and vaccine availability please call your local Health Unit. Physicians wishing to speak with a Medical Health Officer may call the MHO line at 604-587-3828 or  toll-free at 1-877-342-6467.