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H1N1 vaccination sites to close Friday

ctvmontreal — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:36:41 -0500

Quebec's mass vaccination clinics are set to close at the end of the week, though health authorities are making the shot available throughout December on a regional basis.

Only about 46 per cent of Montrealers have received the H1N1 vaccine, though health officials hope it'll be up to half the population by week's end. Read more...

'This pandemic is not over'

PATRICIA BROOKS ARENBURG — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:34:48 -0500

Public vaccination clinics may be closing shop, but "this pandemic is not over," says the regions medical officer of health.

"While today is our last day of mass public clinics, this is, again, by no means the end of the vaccination campaign," Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, with the Capital district health authority, said Tuesday at a Dartmouth news conference. Read more...

Canada: Killing two bugs for the price of one

CBCnews.ca — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:38:55 -0500

The fight against the swine flu seems to be having another positive effect in Quebec hospitals combating the deadly C. difficile bacteria, Dr. Alain Poirier, the provinces chief public health officer, said Friday. Read more...

New non-pandemic influenza A virus found in Saskatchewan hog workers

The Prince Albert Daily Herald — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:36:12 -0500

Officials say a new non-pandemic influenza A virus has been confirmed in two hog farm workers in eastern Saskatchewan and a third case is being investigated.

The workers have fully recovered.

Public health, agriculture and food safety agencies say they are working together to better understand the implications of the new virus. Read more...

WHO Reports Decline In Global Swine Flu Pandemic

On The Net — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:48:10 -0500

The World Health Organization announced Friday that H1N1 flu has peaked in the US and Canada.

A(H1N1) influenza is also peaking in western Europe, as the virus is moving east into central Europe and Asia. Read more...

Expert questions continuing H1N1 vaccinations Health officials still urging people to get the shot

Sharon Kirkey — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:45:44 -0500

W ith H1N1 poised to enter history as the least deadly of four global flu pandemics, some experts are calling for an end to Canada's mass vaccination program.

Nature is achieving what we would hope by vaccinating, they say. Read more...

H1N1 pandemic ending with a whimper, not a bang

Sharon Kirkey — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:23:23 -0500

With H1N1 poised to enter history as the least deadly of four global flu pandemics, some experts are calling for an end to Canada's mass vaccination program.

Nature is already achieving what we would hope to achieve by vaccinating, they say. Read more...

Still too early to declare swine flu pandemic over: WHO

Sharon Kirkey — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:28:47 -0500

It is too soon to decide whether to declare the H1N1 pandemic over, World Health Organization officials said Thursday.

While the number of infections and deaths are falling in Canada and the U.S., "that's still not true for the entire Northern Hemisphere," and it is impossible to know now whether the spring will bring a third wave of infection, Dr. Feiji Fukuda, special adviser to the WHO director-general on pandemic influenza said in a press briefing. Read more...

Health officials douse flu 'peak'

CHRISTINA SPENCER — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:26:37 -0500

OTTAWA -- Federal health officials warned yesterday that the H1N1 pandemic could still infect millions of Canadians despite data suggesting H1N1 has "peaked" in Canada.

"We're trying to be very careful," said Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada's chief public health officer. "We won't know if we've reached a peak in flu activity until we're clearly on the other side of it. Read more...

Second wave of H1N1 pandemic may have peaked: health officials

Sharon Kirkey — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:51:49 -0500

The second wave of the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century may have peaked in Canada, according to a new analysis of flu activity nationwide.

The number of hospitalized cases, admissions to intensive-care units and deaths decreased in the week ending Nov. 21, the Public Health Agency of Canada said in its latest surveillance report. Read more...

H1N1: $1 billion spent, no pandemic, no third wave

Lynne Melcombe — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:49:41 -0500

Dr. Richard Schabas, Ontario's former chief medical officer, "shakes his head" about money spent on the global H1N1 panic because it fails to meet pandemic criteria for illness and deaths. And there will be no third wave, he said. Read more...

Swine flu especially hard on children: Data

Sharon Kirkey — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:50:33 -0500

OTTAWA Human swine flu is hospitalizing three to four times as many children than regular seasonal influenza, new data from a nationwide surveillance system shows.

Since October, 526 H1N1-related hospitalizations were reported by 12 pediatric teaching hospitals across Canada that together represent almost 90 per cent of all tertiary care pediatric beds in the country. Read more...

Peak of pandemic's second wave not yet reached: health officials.

Meagan Fitzpatrick — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:48:45 -0500

OTTAWA - The number of H1N1 flu cases is ``levelling off'' in some parts of the country but the peak of the second wave of the pandemic has not been reached yet and Canadians should not become complacent, federal officials said Wednesday. Read more...

H1N1 pandemic continues decline, but public health officials warn against complacency

John McDonald — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:18:49 -0500

The H1N1 influenza pandemic is continuing to wane in British Columbia with four new deaths reported since last Tuesday, including one within the Interior Health Authority.

That brings the provincial total for H1N1-related deaths to 34 since last April, including seven within Interior Health. There were 109 new severe cases of H1N1 infection requiring hospital admission in the last seven days, including 25 within Interior Health.

Since the spring, there have been 863 confirmed severe cases, including 185 within Interior Health. Read more...

Pandemic plan an antidote to business disaster

The Star — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:17:04 -0500

Cheryl Gray knew she had a problem on her hands when cleaning staff in one of the buildings she was responsible for started showing up to work with masks. Read more...

H1N1 pandemic may be waning in Canada, U.S.

John Vennavally-Rao — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:37:47 -0500

There are growing signs that the H1N1 flu pandemic is waning in North America, based on a number of indicators from health officials and doctors.

The Public Health Agency of Canada says that, as of the week ending Nov. 14, the number of outbreaks at schools and hospitals, the prevalence of flu-related doctor visits and the number of flu cases for testing across the country declined. Read more...

Kids express lanes at H1N1 vaccine clinics

examiner — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:04:59 -0500

Montreal's public schools will be sending home consent forms on Monday for parents who want to have their children vaccinated for swine flu during school hours. All schools in Quebec have been ordered to provide busing for students from 5 to 19 years old; this busing has already begun in areas such as Laval. Read more...

Vaccine safe, officials insist, Only 24 severe reactions in Quebec

AARON DERFEL — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:02:04 -0500

With 1.7 million Quebecers immunized thus far against the pandemic H1N1 virus, health officials are emphasizing that the vaccine is very safe despite two dozen severe reactions to the flu shots in the province. Read more...

Worst of H1N1 pandemic may have passed

Tom Blackwell — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:53:58 -0500

At times in recent weeks, the number of suspected flu patients showing up at the B.C. Children's Hospital's emergency department soared to 50 or 60 a day above usual, prompting it to set up a separate influenza clinic. Read more...

Facts & Figures: H1N1 pandemic

canada.com — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:51:11 -0500

World Health Organization data released Friday shows that about 6,750 have now died from the H1N1 virus since its outbreak in April, up about 500 from a week previous. More than two-thirds of those came from the Americas, where 4,806 people have died due to complications from the virus, including 250 in Canada. Read more...

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 75

ReliefWeb — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:48:06 -0500

As of 15 November 2009, worldwide more than 206 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 6750 deaths. Read more...

MUHC lab swamped with H1N1 test samples

ctvmontreal — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:45:01 -0500

As H1N1 transmission increases across the province, health professionals at the McGill University Health Centre lab are deluged with testing samples. Read more...

Mortality From H1N1 'No Worse'

Sharon Kirkey — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:28:55 -0500

Despite the recent surge in H1N1 deaths, the nation's chief public health officer says the pandemic virus appears no deadlier than regular seasonal influenza and that there could actually be substantially fewer flu deaths than normal this season. Read more...

Economy will be healthy despite H1N1: study

John Morrissy — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:54:49 -0500

Economic activity in Canada is unlikely to suffer a lasting blow from the H1N1 virus, even if it were to reach levels similar to the Spanish flu of 1918, says a study from TD Economics. Read more...

A MESSAGE ON THE PANDEMIC FROM THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH

DR. IAN GEMMILL — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:42:29 -0500

We have all felt the effects of pandemic H1N1 influenza. While many of you know someone who has been sick lately with influenza-like symptoms, some of you have been sick yourself. Perhaps you are one of the thousands who waited patiently in line to get your pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine or stayed back and waited while your more vulnerable neighbours and family members got their vaccine. Read more...

Canucks shrug off pandemic; Feel country unprepared for H1N1

CHRISTINA SPENCER — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:36:51 -0500

Despite constant reassurances from federal officials that Canada's vaccination program is on track, only about one-third of Canadians feel the country is well-prepared to deal with the H1N1 pandemic.

The finding, part of a massive survey of attitudes in 24 nations by the Worldwide Independent Network of Market Research (WIN), places us seventh from the bottom. Read more...

Pharmacists step up amid flu pandemic: Turn Tamiflu to liquid form amid shortage

MICHELLE LEE — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:34:56 -0500

The high demand for influenza medication following the swine flu pandemic has created a shortage in pre-bottled liquid Tamiflu, an antiviral drug primarily used by children. Read more...

Flu peak passes: children need only single shot; Swine flu levels off in parts of B.C.: health official

Kim Pemberton — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:33:03 -0500

The H1N1 pandemic appears to have hit a plateau in south and central British Columbia but continues to grow in the north, B.C. public health officer Dr. Perry Kendall said Thursday. Read more...

Flu vaccination campaign a ‘mess’ that should be discontinued: health official

Meagan Fitzpatrick — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:31:03 -0500

OTTAWA -- The Public Health Agency of Canada has made a "mess"of the H1N1 vaccination campaign and proceeding with it should be up for debate because its benefits are quickly evaporating, according to one of the country's most vocal chief medical officers. Read more...

Ontario and Quebec expand H1N1 clinics to include others

Justin Bromberg — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:26:54 -0500

Both the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) and Quebec's Health and Social Services Agency of the Laurentians (CSSS) have announced the expansion of its vaccination clinics for this coming weekend and next week. Read more...

H1N1 vaccine costly for Montreal school children

examiner.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:23:58 -0500

H1N1 vaccination clinics in Montreal had been standing empty recently, and yet staff were forced to turn away anyone not in a priority group because of Montreal Health Agency policies. As school boards react to announcements that Quebec health officials plan to have schools bus elementary and secondary school children to mass vaccination sites, healthy children in the 5 to 19 year old age group have been bumped up into the priority group. Read more...

Most healthy kids don't need second flu shot: officials

Sharon Kirkey — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:50:25 -0500

All but the youngest children need only a single half-dose of H1N1 vaccine, federal health officials have decided a decision that means many parents of healthy children who have already endured waits hours long to have them vaccinated will not have to line up again for a second shot. Read more...

No way to run a pandemic

Victoria Ptashnick — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:47:57 -0500

When health officials in Canada began planning for a pandemic it was early summer, and although there were a few cases of the H1N1 virus popping up over the country, it was nothing that would be coming our way during the colder months or so they said. Everyone should get vaccinated, they said. Read more...

Flu assessment clinic numbers drop; Hospital statistics steady in western H1N1 pandemic

The Western Star — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:45:14 -0500

While the numbers of people going to the flu assessment clinics has dropped markedly, Dr. Ken Jenkins is wary of declaring the worst of the H1N1 pandemic in western Newfoundland over. Read more...

Second West Island swine flu centre opens Wednesday

CTV Montreal — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:47:40 -0500

West Islanders looking for swine flu shots have a second site to choose from as of Wednesday.

Shots will be available at Spring Garden Elementary School at 175 Sonata in Dollard des Ormeaux, Qc. The hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. Read more...

H1N1 pandemic continues to affect central region

JANINE DAVIDGE — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:45:35 -0500

It was announced on Monday that the H1N1 flu virus had taken another life in the central region of the province. The Advertiser spoke with Central Health CEO Karen McGrath to address concerns people might be having in light of the latest death. Read more...

Vaccine problems cured by a mild H1N1 pandemic

The Barrie Examiner — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:43:59 -0500

In all seriousness, it's a very good thing Canada's H1N1 (swine) flu is a relatively mild pandemic -- at least to this point.

Because the vaccination program hasn't gone well, and not necessarily because of embarrassing gaffs like professional athletes, hospital board members and private school officials jumping to the head of the line to get shots before those most at risk. Read more...

Students and teachers on front line of pandemic

ALEXIS ALLEN — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:42:16 -0500

In recent newspaper comments, Nova Scotias chief public health officer, Dr. Robert Strang, stated that the Nova Scotia Teachers Union misunderstands H1N1 risks for pregnant teachers. Read more...

Protect workers from pandemic

Mary Lou Cherwaty — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:40:08 -0500

H1N1, or swine flu, has infected and killed people here in Canada and in many countries across the world. This pandemic flu spreads in the same way as the common flu, but because it is new we haven't built up an immunity to fight it off. An influenza pandemic means the virus is spread easily between humans and affects a wide geographic area. Read more...

Stay calm during pandemic: expert

Nick Moore — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:39:15 -0500

While there are certain unknowns about how the H1N1 pandemic will play out in the weeks and months to come, people can take comfort in knowing one thing, according to a New Brunswick expert in pandemic disease history. Read more...

Canada: Chaotic response to swine flu pandemic highlights government indifference

Carl Bronski — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:32:46 -0500

Amidst growing public discontent over the slow pace of H1N1 flu immunization across Canada and outrage over preferential treatment of highly-placed individuals, federal and provincial health officials continue to backtrack on earlier commitments, both to high risk groups and members of the general population seeking vaccination. Read more...

There's pandemic paranoia aplenty

Neil Swanson — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:29:19 -0500

Not to trivialize the deaths that have occurred due to H1N1, one has to wonder why governments have created a near panic with this "pandemic." Read more...

Canadian Forces in tough against pandemic flu

DON PEAT — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:26:18 -0500

TORONTO Like every health unit across Canada, the Canadian Forces Health Services is waging a vaccination campaign against H1N1. Read more...

Pandemic disproportionately infecting, killing young people: Study

Sharon Kirkey — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:43:05 -0500

As the sudden deaths of young children from H1N1 drive unprecedented demand for flu vaccine, a new study of the first 1,000 cases in California of H1N1 hospitalizations and deaths confirms the pandemic virus is disproportionately infecting and killing young people. Read more...

Grits accuse feds of failing to follow pandemic plan

CHRISTINA SPENCER — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:41:12 -0500

OTTAWA -- As far back as 2004, the federal-provincial plan for combatting a potential pandemic warned Canada to seek more than one supplier of vaccine -- advice that wasn't followed in the run-up to this week's countrywide shortages. Read more...

Vaccine shortage delays pandemic plans

CVNews — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:39:38 -0500

Despite unexpected delays in the manufacture of pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine in Canada, all British Columbians who need or want the vaccine will be able to receive it before the end of the year as has been said previously, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport Ida Chong and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall reiterated today. Read more...

Ottawa To Consider Other Pharmaceutical Firms For Next Big Pandemic

AHN Staff — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:15:41 -0500

Ottawa, Ontario (AHN) - With the federal government of Canada looking ill-prepared for the second round of Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic, Ottawa is now considering contracting more than one supplier when the next big pandemic hits the country. Read more...

Someone needs to be calling shots

ROY CLANCY — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:13:48 -0500

The only thing spreading faster than H1N1 is blame and confusion.

The tragic deaths of a few otherwise healthy victims have ramped up anxiety levels from coast to coast.

The resulting demand for vaccine apparently caught politicians and public health officials by surprise, throwing plans laid months ago into pandemonium. Read more...

Ottawa rethinking pandemic plan Supplier under fire for vaccine shortage

Joanna Smith — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:10:23 -0500

OTTAWA The federal government has signalled it will reconsider its decision to get the H1N1 vaccine from a single supplier when it comes time to begin preparing for the next big pandemic. Read more...

H1N1 Pandemic

Winnipeg Free Press — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:07:41 -0500

Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews said residents eligible for the H1N1 shot are experiencing shorter lineups. The number of clinics across Ontario has doubled from 50 to 100, and Matthews said she hopes up to 2.2 million people can be immunized by week's end. Read more...

WHO pandemic definition may be too broad: report

Stuart Paterson — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:45:58 -0500

he World Health Organization 's definition of what constitutes a pandemic might be too broad, according to a new article. Read more...

No way to handle a pandemic

Andrew Mitrovica — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:37:20 -0500

Get the shot.

That's the now familiar refrain of health officials who have repeatedly urged Canadians to get vaccinated to shield themselves against the potentially deadly H1N1 virus. Read more...

H1N1 cases already overtake BC pandemic plan forecast

Crawford Kilian — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:10:12 -0500

British Columbians with serious H1N1 symptoms are being admitted to intensive care units in greater proportions than the province's pandemic plan anticipated. Read more...

Catholic Church Brings in Pandemic Plan

VOCM — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:09:15 -0500

The Catholic Church in this province is bringing in its pandemic plan. Holy water is being removed from church entrances, to be replaced with the rite of sprinkling of holy water at the beginning of Mass. Read more...

Liberals ask for Alberta Tories' 'worst case' H1N1 plans

Renata D'Aliesio — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:05:50 -0500

CALGARY - The Alberta Liberals challenged the Conservative government on Wednesday to detail how it will handle a worst-case H1N1 pandemic, which could see as many as 2,850 Albertans require intensive hospital care and up to 400 deaths. Read more...

Pandemic’s second wave gathers momentum

Janice Tibbetts — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:13:23 -0500

Health officials cautioned yesterday against overreacting to the swine-flu-related deaths of two youths in the last few days, including a 13-year-old boy who died within 48 hours of first showing symptoms. More...

Swine Flu Vaccine Catastrophe

Kristin Hayes — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:10:47 -0500

Wednesday October 28, 2009

A fellow About.com guide, Shawn Watson, writes today, "I waited for 5 hrs today [to get the swine flu vaccine] with my two children, and we were there first thing in the morning! I must say, this is the first time I have been disappointed in our health care system. We had four R.N.'s vaccinating for H1N1 and seasonal flu, in a town of 15,000. People in the major city that I live near had a 6+ hour wait time, with only 4 clinics to service over one million people." Shawn is from Canada but I must say that I don't feel the situation in the United States is much better. More...

Toronto hockey player dies after contracting swine flu

Amy Husser and Mike Barber — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:42:11 -0500

A 13-year-old minor league hockey player from Toronto has died of the H1N1 virus, Toronto Public Health confirmed Tuesday.

Evan Frustaglio began developing flu-like symptoms during a hockey tournament in London, Ont., over the weekend, said his father, Paul Frustaglio. After returning to Toronto early Sunday, his parents took him to a local walk-in clinic, where he was examined and sent home. More...

H1N1 vaccine clinics hit by 'pent-up demand'

CBC News — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:32:58 -0500

The federal government has ordered enough H1N1 vaccine for every Canadian, but it's not possible to provide it to everyone all at once.

In Winnipeg, some mothers with young children lined up for swine flu shots on Monday and were told to come back on Tuesday. In Calgary, overwhelming lineups forced health officials to extend clinic hours for the first day of the mass vaccination campaign. More...