Pregnant women are among the most at risk group for being infected with the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu. A bit of good news from Canada's Health Minister yesterday, that the vaccine is on route to the provinces and is expected to get formal approval for use later this week. Note: This is not mentioned on all sites or news reports about the H1N1 vaccine, but it can take two weeks for the vaccine to be fully protective, so while we are entering a second wave of H1N1, the sooner the better for vaccination."We know that it takes about 10 to 14 days from the time someone's immunized until they're actually protected against the virus," said Dr. Katz. "So, adding a week is certainly a helpful thing." (Dr. Kevin Katz, medical director of infection prevention and control at North York General Hospital in Toronto.)
Other higher risk groups according to Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), that "those that need it most get it first" , are:
- People under 65 with chronic health conditions
- Pregnant women
- Children 6 months to less than 5 years of age
- Aboriginal peoples and 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
- Populations otherwise identified as high risk
Others who would benefit from immunization include: - Children 5 to 18 years of age
- First responders
- Poultry and swine workers
- Adults 19 to 64 years of age
- Adults 65 and older
