With the official approval of the H1N1 vaccine, commonly known as Swine Flu, from Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq on Oct. 21, Central Health can now proceed with their planned inoculations for the virus. The approval has launched the country's largest mass immunization in history.

Central Health have already begun distribution of the free H1N1 vaccine in the central region, with Health and Community services workers being the first group on the distribution list.

The general public will have access to the vaccine through mass immunization clinics beginning on Nov. 2. A schedule outlining dates, times and locations will be released this week. However, 16 communities in the region have been confirmed for immunization sites, including Lewisporte, Twillingate, Change Islands, Fogo, Baie Verte, Buchans, Gander, Glovertown, La Scie, Springdale, St. Brendan's, Botwood, Brookfield, Grand Falls-Windsor, Harbour Breton and St. Alban's.

Individuals under the age of 65 with chronic health conditions, living in remote and isolated settings or communities, children six months up to five years of age, pregnant women and health care workers involved in pandemic response or delivery of essential health care services. Also, household contacts and caregivers of individuals at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines and populations otherwise identified as high risk will be offered the vaccine first, based on recommenda"A pandemic arises when the human population is exposed to a novel influenza virus and on this occasion the transition happened between pigs and humans," said Medical Officer of Health for Central Health Dr. Ann Roberts. "As no one has any immunity to a new string that arises in pigs, it spreads very quickly around the world. Once the WHO consensus the string in countries around the world, they declare a pandemic."

Dr. Roberts said she is most interested in the mass immunization clinics and wants everyone to know that the influenza vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine are very much alike. The H1N1 vaccination is not mandatory, but is recommended.

"We will be letting people know when we will be ready to start these clinics, but it will be within the next week," she said. "We are hoping that parents will be bringing their young children to us. They have to be six months of age to have the vaccine and we are very much hoping they will come because children don't have the immune system of a healthy adult."

Dr. Roberts said an average individual might find it difficult to diagnose whether or not they have H1N1 or the seasonal influenza, as both types have more similarities then differences.

"They both have the same basic case definition, including a cough, aches and pains, sore muscles and lack of appetite," she said. "What is different between the two is that it is mostly the seniors who seem to suffer the most with the annual influenza, however with the H1N1 it tends to be more common in the younger age group."

Antivirals

Antivirals are oral medications that are used to treat moderate to severe disease. With both seasonal and H1N1 influenza viruses circulating in the province, with two confirmed cases in the central region and seven province-wide last week, Newfoundland and Labrador's share of the National Antivirals Stockpile (NAS) was released on Oct. 16.

"We have our per capita share in the National Stockpile of Antivirals," said Dr. Roberts.

Health care providers will determine if patients require an antiviral treatment for H1N1, including Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and Relenza (Zanamivir). If identified as a need, patients will be eligible to receive either medication free of charge to everyone.

"Relenza is taken by inhaler and it's probably the one that we would offer to pregnant women to use," said Dr. Roberts. "We will be doing our very best to take care of those who would be at higher risk."

Antivirals can reduce influenza symptoms, shorten the length of the illness and reduce any serious complications if taken within 48 hours of getting sick.

According to Dr. Roberts, most patient's stay home and self-medicate, however she suggest that anyone wondering about their health can simply call their local clinic.

"What we suggest is that if you have any of the symptoms listed in the basic case definition, that you phone your health care provider or phone the provincial Health Line and run your symptoms by a health care worker who can assist you," said Dr. Roberts. "It may be that your doctor will take or return your call and better advise you on what to do. Also, this way, if they want you to come into the clinic they can be ready for you, with a mask at the door, so everyone in the waiting room isn't exposed to any symptoms you may have."

The provincial Health Line number is (888) 709-2929 and is available to residents across the island seven days a week, 24 hours a day.