Seasonal flu shot urged for at-risk

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This article was published 07/10/2009 (6202 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE province’s senior health official says people most at risk for complications from seasonal influenza should get the seasonal flu vaccine regardless of their concerns about contracting the H1N1 virus.

Dr. Joel Kettner, the chief provincial public health officer, said new evidence is emerging that shows there is no link between getting the seasonal flu vaccine and the likelihood of developing a severe case of the H1N1 pandemic flu.

"What we’ve told people is regardless of your own perceived risk for H1N1," those most at risk of the seasonal flu should get the vaccine.

Kettner said the provincial government believes it only has a limited amount of time to administer the seasonal flu vaccine before its attention will be focused on the H1N1 pandemic.

"We want to prioritize those we think would benefit most from the seasonal flu shot."

Health officials were concerned when a report emerged that showed a link between the seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1, Kettner said, but there were many questions about the validity of that study.

In the last two weeks, evidence has emerged to show it’s safe to administer the seasonal flu vaccine to those who need it the most.

"Based on what we know now about the study that caused all the concern and based on what we know now about other studies, we feel much more confident… that there is very little, if any evidence, that getting the seasonal flu shot increases your risk for pandemic influenza (H1N1), especially severe pandemic influenza," Kettner said.

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority officials said during a Monday news conference that people age 65 and older are at risk for complications of seasonal influenza, but seem less likely to acquire the H1N1 flu than younger people. Others who are at risk for seasonal influenza are also at risk for H1N1.

If people fall within the groups that are most at risk for both seasonal influenza and H1N1, Kettner said, they should get the seasonal flu vaccine now and they will be at the top of the list when the H1N1 vaccine is available.

Kettner said there is no reason why otherwise healthy people should not get the seasonal flu shot at workplace flu clinics, unless their doctor recommends against it.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca