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Minister sees less risk of new H1N1 outbreak
Published Thursday December 17th, 2009
Brett Bundale
Telegraph-Journal
FREDERICTON - The risk of a third wave of the H1N1 influenza virus sweeping through New Brunswick has been greatly reduced, Health Minister Mary Schryer said Wednesday.
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Submitted Photo
Health Minister Mary Schryer receives her H1N1 vaccination from Public Health nurse Line Michaud on Wednesday at an immunization clinic in Fredericton.
Canada's chief public health officer warned Tuesday that the New Year could bring "new surprises," including a third wave of influenza infection.
"As we approach the end of 2009, it's tempting to think that, perhaps, given the numbers, the pandemic's done. This is wishful thinking that can lead to complacency," Dr. David Butler-Jones said. "This virus will be with us for some time yet. The only thing we can say with certainty about this pandemic is that it's entirely unpredictable."
However, Schryer said that, with nearly 60 per cent of New Brunswickers vaccinated against the pandemic virus, the risk of a third wave has been lessened considerably. This is compared to the average of 40 per cent of Canadians that have been inoculated.
"The best way to avoid the risk is by vaccination," she said Wednesday before receiving her flu shot at a vaccination clinic in Fredericton. "When you have 60 per cent of your population vaccinated it reduces your risk immensely of a third wave."
But Butler-Jones, the head of the Public Health Agency, said Tuesday in Ottawa the virus could still stage a big comeback in the New Year.
"It's still in the world," he said. "We're not done yet.'"
Butler-Jones warned that the holiday season is an ideal time for the virus to spread because of people gathering for festivities.
He said that, although the rate of new cases appears to be falling, the 60 per cent of Canadians who have not yet been immunized should roll up their sleeves for a shot.
Despite the fact that overall vaccination levels in New Brunswick are above the national average, fewer than 30 per cent of men between the ages of 19 and 59 have been immunized.
Although mass immunization clinics wrap up Friday in the province, Schryer said vaccinations will still be available to every New Brunswickers who wants one - and she encouraged men to get their shot.
Schryer said more than 80 per cent of children in the province have been vaccinated and 90 per cent of aboriginals.
The latest figures available show that 8,102 Canadians have been hospitalized because of complications related to the H1N1 virus, including 1,332 people who were admitted to intensive care units and 593 who required ventilators to assist breathing. The virus has caused 390 deaths in Canada since first emerging in late April. Vaccination rates vary across the country and even within provinces, Butler-Jones said.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, for instance, the percentage of people receiving the vaccine has been in the high 60s, with rates for children running at 85 to 90 per cent, he said.
"These are phenomenal numbers, not like anything we've ever seen before,'' said Butler-Jones. "But there's still room for improvement."
- with files from The Canadian Press
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/892723
Published Thursday December 17th, 2009
Brett Bundale
Telegraph-Journal
FREDERICTON - The risk of a third wave of the H1N1 influenza virus sweeping through New Brunswick has been greatly reduced, Health Minister Mary Schryer said Wednesday.
<!-- BEGIN Article Image(s) -->
Submitted Photo
Health Minister Mary Schryer receives her H1N1 vaccination from Public Health nurse Line Michaud on Wednesday at an immunization clinic in Fredericton.
Canada's chief public health officer warned Tuesday that the New Year could bring "new surprises," including a third wave of influenza infection.
"As we approach the end of 2009, it's tempting to think that, perhaps, given the numbers, the pandemic's done. This is wishful thinking that can lead to complacency," Dr. David Butler-Jones said. "This virus will be with us for some time yet. The only thing we can say with certainty about this pandemic is that it's entirely unpredictable."
However, Schryer said that, with nearly 60 per cent of New Brunswickers vaccinated against the pandemic virus, the risk of a third wave has been lessened considerably. This is compared to the average of 40 per cent of Canadians that have been inoculated.
"The best way to avoid the risk is by vaccination," she said Wednesday before receiving her flu shot at a vaccination clinic in Fredericton. "When you have 60 per cent of your population vaccinated it reduces your risk immensely of a third wave."
But Butler-Jones, the head of the Public Health Agency, said Tuesday in Ottawa the virus could still stage a big comeback in the New Year.
"It's still in the world," he said. "We're not done yet.'"
Butler-Jones warned that the holiday season is an ideal time for the virus to spread because of people gathering for festivities.
He said that, although the rate of new cases appears to be falling, the 60 per cent of Canadians who have not yet been immunized should roll up their sleeves for a shot.
Despite the fact that overall vaccination levels in New Brunswick are above the national average, fewer than 30 per cent of men between the ages of 19 and 59 have been immunized.
Although mass immunization clinics wrap up Friday in the province, Schryer said vaccinations will still be available to every New Brunswickers who wants one - and she encouraged men to get their shot.
Schryer said more than 80 per cent of children in the province have been vaccinated and 90 per cent of aboriginals.
The latest figures available show that 8,102 Canadians have been hospitalized because of complications related to the H1N1 virus, including 1,332 people who were admitted to intensive care units and 593 who required ventilators to assist breathing. The virus has caused 390 deaths in Canada since first emerging in late April. Vaccination rates vary across the country and even within provinces, Butler-Jones said.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, for instance, the percentage of people receiving the vaccine has been in the high 60s, with rates for children running at 85 to 90 per cent, he said.
"These are phenomenal numbers, not like anything we've ever seen before,'' said Butler-Jones. "But there's still room for improvement."
- with files from The Canadian Press
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/892723