Who should get the H1N1 vaccine

Alberta has enough vaccine for every Albertan who needs and wants to be immunized. Those who need it most should get it as early as possible.

Those who will benefit most from immunization include:

• People under 65 with chronic health conditions and their caregivers.
• Pregnant women.
• Children six months to less than five years of age and their caregivers.
• People living in remote and isolated settings or communities
• Health care workers involved in pandemic response or the delivery of essential health care services.
• Household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines.

What is the difference between adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted vaccine?

An adjuvant is a substance that is added to a vaccine in order to boost the individual’s response.  It also means that less of the actual virus or “antigen” is needed to make a dose of the vaccine.  
Non-adjuvanted vaccine has no “booster” element, and more antigen is needed to create this kind of vaccine.

Non-adjuvanted vaccine is recommended for pregnant women but both vaccines are considered equally safe. Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health agrees with the advice of PHAC – that the adjuvant is safe, and the risks posed to pregnant women who get the flu are far, far greater than any the vaccine may pose.

Does AHW recommend the adjuvanted vaccine for pregnant women?

Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health agrees with the advice of the Public Health Agency of Canada – that pregnant women receive one dose of an unadjuvanted vaccine wherever possible. 

Once approved by Health Canada, both H1N1 vaccines will be considered equally safe.  
Ultimately, this is a personal choice for women - we recommend getting your shot as soon as possible.

How is H1N1 different from seasonal influenza?

There are many strains of influenza circulating each year during the influenza season, and most people have some degree of immunity from previous exposure to related strains. The yearly influenza vaccine provides protection against the three most common strains identified during the previous season.  This season, Pandemic H1N1 influenza is expected to be the predominant strain.

Pandemic H1N1 is an entirely new strain of the influenza virus to which people do not have any immunity – and therefore is the priority for mass immunization. All Albertans over six months of age will have access to the Pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine.

How can influenza be prevented?

• Be immunized against influenza.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand cleanser.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your arm or a tissue.
• Stay home and rest when you are sick so you don’t spread the virus to others.

For more information:

Visit www.health.alberta.ca, www.albertahealthservices.ca or www.fightflu.ca for more information on influenza and Pandemic (H1N1) Influenza 2009.

If you are sick, call your local public health office or Health Link Alberta in Edmonton at 780-408-5465, in Calgary at 403-943-5465, or toll free at 1-866-408-5465 for advice. If your symptoms become more severe (shortness of breath), see a health professional.