Swine Flu will be around for several years: B.C. Health Officer
3D model of generic influenza virus supplied by CDC. Click to enlarge
By Salim Jiwa
VANCOUVER – B.C.’s chief health officer says a third wave of Swine Flu is a real possibility and as many people as possible should get themselves vaccinated to avoid “serious complications or at best a nasty seven-day” flu.
“I strongly encourage vaccination,” he said. “H1N1 will be around for some years and there is a possibility of a third wave in the spring, we can avoid that with high levels of vaccination.”
“Also, although we are on the down-slope of this wave, there is still a lot of influenza activity out there with the chance of serious complications or at best a nasty seven-day flu,” he emphasized in an emailed response to questions.
Kendall also says there is no evidence B.C. folks are getting complacent about vaccination. 34 people have died in B.C. since the start of the pandemic, mostly in October and November when the second wave hit.
“We haven’t had a surplus of vaccine and so far demand is stil outstripping supply,” he said.
108 people were hospitalized with severe Swine Flu between Nov. 17 and Nov. 24. 863 hospitalizations are reported so far, with many people needing ventilation support. Approximately 33 per cent of all hospitalizations have involved children and youth under 19.
Dr. Kendall.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease control expressed concern that many infected during the H1N1 pandemic have suffered from serious invasive pneumonia. The CDC said it encourages people to get pneumococcal vaccination.
Kendall said B.C. ordered additional volumes of pneumococcal vaccine because of a similar concern that was recognized by health authorities.
“Penumonia has long been recognized as a primary complication of influenza, so this is no surprise,” he said. “We have ensured adequate stockpiles of antibiotics are available, in addition we have re-emphasized the importance of pneumococcal vaccination for those over 65 and those with risk conditions.”
“B.C. purchased additional volumes of pneumococcal vaccine for this purpose,” he added.
B.C. expects that within a week or so, 50 per cent of the population will have been vaccinated against H1N1.
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Related articles:
- B.C’s chief health officer denies slacking off on Swine Flu
- B.C. toll from Swine Flu at 47, but severe cases decline
- Swine Flu spikes again in U.S.
- CDC: Shocking new figures show 14 to 34 million were infected by Swine Flu in the U.S.
Posted by News Editor
on Nov 26 2009. Filed under Featured.
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It is good to see that people are taking the threat of the condition seriously and seeking vaccination. Hopefully, the levels of vaccine production and quality of vaccine produced can be maintained to get us to the level where sufficient numbers of people are vaccinated to ensure the safety of those who are most at risk.