Pandemic H1N1 Vaccine Available for Pickup October 26

Detailed information about the vaccine will be available on the Provincial Health Officer’s Website for Physicians at http://www.hls.gov.bc.ca/pho/physh1n1.html. Information will also be provided with each vaccine shipment.

What Pandemic Vaccines Will Be Available?

Beginning October 26, pH1N1 vaccine will be available for pick-up by physicians. Most Canadian vaccine will be adjuvanted, monovalent pH1N1 vaccine (Arepanrix™); limited quantities of non-adjuvanted pH1N1 vaccine will be available in mid-November. There will be pH1N1 vaccine for all individuals who need or want it but early quantities should be offered preferentially to those at highest risk of complications. Public health immunization clinics will begin the week of November 2.

Who Should Get pH1N1 Vaccine?

Vaccine from the first shipment should be offered to persons under 65 years of age with chronic illness, pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy and people living in remote and isolated communities. Once these individuals are protected, pH1N1 vaccine should be offered to children 6 months to under 5 years of age, health care workers (provided at the workplace) and household contacts of infants under 6 months or people who are immunocompromised. As soon as sufficient quantities are available (expected to be within 2 to 3 weeks), all others would benefit from pH1N1 vaccine.

There are no data on the use of adjuvanted vaccines for pregnant women. Therefore non-adjuvanted pH1N1 vaccine is recommended preferentially for this group if it is available. Until that time, pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy should be offered adjuvanted pH1N1 vaccine, as the benefits outweigh any theoretical risk. Pregnant woman in the first half of pregnancy without chronic illness (who are at lower risk for complications from pH1N1 infection) should only be offered non-adjuvanted pH1N1 vaccine once it is available. Children under 3 years of age may be offered either adjuvanted or non-adjuvanted pH1N1 vaccine; adjuvanted vaccine may result in a better immune response and will be available sooner.

How Many Doses are Needed and Can it Be Given With Seasonal Vaccine?

Adults and children 10 years of age and older will need one dose of pH1N1 vaccine. Children under 10 years of age will need two doses. Seasonal vaccine can be co-administered with pH1N1 vaccine and should be offered to all those who are eligible for publicly-funded seasonal vaccine. If both pH1N1 and seasonal vaccine are given at the same visit, use separate limbs. Seasonal and pH1H1 vaccine can also be given at different visits without regard to interval; if they are given at different visits, give people under 65 years of age pH1N1 vaccine first. Pneumococcal vaccine can be co-administered with pH1N1 vaccine; use one limb for pH1N1 vaccine and another for seasonal vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine.

How is Arepanrix™ Supplied and Mixed?

The vaccine will be supplied in two vials, a 3 ml vial containing adjuvant and a 10 ml vial containing antigen. The adjuvant needs to be added to the vial containing the antigen; once the vaccine has been mixed it must be used within 24 hours.

What Vaccine-associated Adverse Events Have Been Associated With Arepanrix™?

Clinical trials have found similar reactions as to seasonal vaccine although local reactions may be increased, such as pain and swelling at the injection site and axillary lymph node tenderness. Systemic reactions may include fever, fatigue and myalgias. Reactions are expected to be short-lived.

For additional information please call the MHO line at 604-587-3828 or in Fraser East 1-877-342-6467.

After Hours Public Health Emergency Pager: 604-527-4806.  Ask for the Medical Health Officer On-Call