H1N1 flu shot available for everyone

VICTORIA -- all British Columbians who want to be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus can roll up their sleeves starting tomorrow. Provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall says waning demand for the vaccine this week has led to a drastic reduction in lineups at clinics, possibly because the number of swine flu hospitalizations has not risen.
But Kendall is still urging everyone to get vaccinated so a possible third wave of the swine flu next spring might be prevented.

"Complacency would be a mistake," says Kendall.

A 3 year old Nanaimo girl is one of the latest to have died from complications with H1N1 flu. She died Monday after being transported to Victoria General Hospital. Health officials say she had underlying health conditions.
Dr. Kendall says BC will receive 258-thousand doses of the vaccine this week, and 640-thousand more next week.

While health officials await backlogged shipments of the swine flu vaccine, they're being asked to hold back one batch which appears to be causing higher rates of sever allergic reactions. The lot shipped in late October. Manufacturer GlaxoSmithKlein says it's a cautionary move, pending an investigation.

It has been just over four weeks since the H1N1 shot became available in BC. Dr. Kendall maintains that everyone who needs and wants the vaccine will be able to get it by Christmas.

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