Seasonal flu vaccines starting today in Alberta then H1N1 immunizations come to Canada in November

October 13, 3:32 PMCanada Headlines ExaminerJill Browne

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Mike Castling, left, is injected as part of a clinical study of the H1N1 vaccine at Saint Louis University's Center for Vaccine Development where work on the H1N1 flu vaccine is being conducted Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, Pool)

Much information and some confusion about flu vaccines in Canada today.

A piece by Sharon Kinney carried in the Calgary Herald says, "U.S. has vaccine, Canada washes its hands 35 per cent of Canadians could come down with H1N1, but vaccinations won't start until November".  Although the US has started immunizing people against H1N1 influenza, and the predictions are that it will affect some 35% of Canadians, Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. David Butler-Jones, says the US is ahead of Canada in rates of infections.

The Edmonton Journal reported on Alberta Health's immunization program for the seasonal flu, which is also expected to come round this year.  Free flu shot clinics started today and will continue until the H1N1 vaccine becomes available.

Earlier reports said that getting the seasonal flu shot could leave a person more vulnerable to H1N1. However, the information on the Government of Canada's Public Health Agency website today does not show this as a risk, and it appears not to be of concern.

There is ongoing discussion of who is at most risk, and who should get the H1N1 vaccine first.  This morning, the CBC reported that Bob McCormack, the chief medical officer for Canada's Olympic team said the athletes should be given priority for vaccines, and should have it now before the February Vancouver Olympics start.

The London Free Press gives a comprehensive list of symptoms and precautions to take against H1N1, as well as practical advice for getting ready in case you do get sick.

The Canwest papers, including the Times Colonist, carried a report by Sharon Kirkby indicating that young, healthy women are some of the hardest hit by the H1N1 flu, comparing the severity for this group to the 1918 "Spanish flu" epidemic.

It's still good advice to self-quarantine if you do become ill, wash your hands often, and cover your mouth when sneezing – with a tissue, or failing that, your sleeve, not your hand.