Who Should Get the Swine Flu Vaccine in Canada?
Who is Most at Risk for Getting and Spreading H1N1 Influenza?
Oct 27, 2009
There is a lot of information out there about the swine flu and many Canadians are wondering if they should get the swine flu vaccine. Here is information about who is considered most at risk when it comes to this new virus and who will be considered a priority group for getting the swine flu vaccination. Also read about who is not recommended to get this 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine.
Swine Flu Vaccine Available for Canadians Who Want It
The Canadian government has put in for 50.4 million doses of the swine flu vaccine. GlaxoSmithKline is making the H1N1 influenza vaccine for Canada, and the federal government has a deal with this company to produce more of the vaccine if it’s needed. Although everyone who wants a shot can get one, there will be limited supplies of the vaccine in the beginning. For this reason, there are high priority groups who will be recommended to get the vaccine first.
Who Should Get the H1N1 Influenza Vaccine?
The Canadian government is recommending vaccine sequencing to provinces and territories, which means those seen as most at risk for getting or spreading the swine flu virus should get the vaccination first. The federal government is advising that people in the following groups be top priority:
- Anyone with a chronic health condition under the age of six months
- Pregnant women
- Children under the age of five years old to six months old
- Anyone living in remote and isolated communities
- Health care workers involved in essential health care services or pandemic response
- Anyone who cares for or has regular contact with someone who cannot be immunized or might not respond to vaccines
- Other groups identified as high risk
The following groups would be next for receiving the swine flu immunization:
- Children who are five years old to 18 years old
- Anyone who works as a first responders
- Anyone who works with swine or poultry
- Anyone from the ages of 19 to 64 years of age
- People who are 65 years old and older
It will be up to each province and territory to decide how to follow these recommendations based on their demographics and circumstances.
Why Are These Groups Getting Priority for the Swine Flu Vaccine?
The Canadian government found that people in these groups, such as those who are pregnant, very young or had chronic health issues, are at higher risk for getting severely ill from the swine flu and/or at higher risk of complications compared to the general population. Those who live in isolated areas are also considered top priority because of the difficulty accessing those needing medical care should they get seriously ill. Others are on this list, like health care workers and those who are in contact with babies under six months old who cannot get the vaccine, to prevent the virus from spreading to vulnerable populations.
Who Should Not Get the H1N1 Flu Vaccine?
Not everyone is recommended to get the H1N1 flu vaccine and should consult with their doctor. The following groups should not get this shot:
- Anyone who has a serious allergy to eggs
- Anyone who has a severe allergy to any other component of the vaccine
- Anyone who is currently having a high fever
- Anyone who has had Guillan-Barré Syndrome about eight weeks after getting a seasonal flu vaccine
- Children who are under the age of six months
If people have any concerns or questions about getting the swine flu vaccine shot, then it’s a good idea to speak with a doctor.
For more information check out Swine Flu Facts, Swine Flu Vaccine in Canada and Swine Flu Study Finds Women Could be More at Risk.
References:
Public Health Agency of Canada,H1N1 Flu Virus Vaccine, October 20, 2009.
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