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Ontario Adjusts Vaccination Plan

 

 

# 3766

 

 

The `hot’ story today is undoubtedly the report out of Canada that some researchers believe they’ve found a link between getting a seasonal flu vaccination and a future propensity for contracting the novel H1N1 virus.

 

Helen Branswell, who is one of the most knowledgeable and credible science reporters on the influenza beat, has been all over this story today.  

 

Earlier this afternoon, in a piece entitled Canadian study linking flu shots and swine flu raising international concerns, Ms. Branswell outlined the CDC’s position on this report:

 

. . .  Kieny said British, American and Australian researchers have looked for and haven’t found similar findings in their data. On Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control confirmed that via email.

 

“It is difficult to speak about a study that has yet to be published, however, as this is an important issue involving the subject of seasonal influenza and the fast moving global pandemic of 2009 H1N1 influenza it is important to note the scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not seen this effect in systems we have reviewed in the United States,” spokesperson Joe Quimby said.

 

This evening Helen Branswell brings us news that Ontario, Canada will adjust their vaccination strategy as a result of concern over the theorized link between seasonal vaccines and H1N1 susceptibility.  

 

 

In Wake Of Study Concerns, Ontario Delays Seasonal Flu Shots For All But Elderly

 

2009/09/24 | Helen Branswell, Medical Reporter, The Canadian Press

Faced with puzzling but unconfirmed evidence that suggests a seasonal flu shot may raise the risk of catching swine flu, Ontario announced Thursday it is rescheduling its seasonal flu vaccine program to delay most of it until after pandemic vaccine has been administered.

 

At a news conference in Toronto, Dr. Arlene King, the province's chief medical officer of health, said the seasonal and pandemic vaccines will be delivered in three waves, starting in October.

 

People 65 and older, who have been largely spared by swine flu but who are at greater risk from seasonal flu, will be offered seasonal shots then. When the pandemic vaccine becomes available in November, all in Ontario who want to be vaccinated will be given access to those shots.

 

Once the pandemic vaccination effort is completed, Ontario plans to resume the seasonal flu shot program, which offers free vaccination to anyone who wants it. 

 

(Continue . . . )

 

Apparently, Ontario health officials regard the rumors surrounding this study to be serious enough to adjust their short-term vaccination recommendations. 

 

Since seasonal H1N1 has yet to make much of an appearance this season, and the vaccine’s match to the recently drifted H3N2 virus is less than ideal, delaying its deployment to those under 65 may have less of an impact that it would have in a `normal’ year.

 

Obviously, at a time when the public’s angst over vaccine issues is running at record levels, any suggestion that taking the seasonal vaccine could predispose you to catching the pandemic strain is a risk communications nightmare.  

 

For now, this unpublished study remains more shadow than substance.  We really don’t know how much weight to give it.   And it may be weeks before peer review can either confirm or dismiss the author’s conclusions.

 

In the meantime, public Health departments around the world are in the difficult and unenviable position of having to decide – right now – whether to proceed with their seasonal flu vaccination programs. 

 
In a her latest report, Ms. Branswell reveals that Canadian provinces are not all on the same page when it comes to their seasonal vaccinations plans.

 

 

Study linking flu shots, swine flu raises concern abroad, prompt changes at home

(Excerpt)

Earlier this week some expressed hope of a pan-Canadian approach. But that hope faded by Thursday as it became clear Canada's various jurisdictions were headed in a variety of different directions.

Ontario announced it would vaccinate seniors against seasonal flu in October, but delay the bulk of its seasonal program until later in the winter. Saskatchewan said it may cancel its seasonal campaign altogether. And Manitoba said it is planning for the seasonal program to run as scheduled, but building in the capacity to change course if need be.

 

The CDC holds a press conference tomorrow.

 

One has to assume that they will be fielding a number of questions regarding the US response to this study.

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Vaccine
H1N1
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