Swine Flu Shots in Quebec

Province Prioritizes People with Chronic Conditions for Early November Vaccination

Quebec's H1N1 vaccination clinics have up until now been targeting two main groups: pregnant women and children under age five. Parents with children under six months have also been able to receive the vaccine, as influenza vaccines are not given to children in this age group. Because the very young and pregnant women had been among those most severely affected by H1N1 influenza in recent weeks, earlier plans to target the immunosuppressed and people living with chronic illnesses were put on hold.

Quebec residents under age 65 with chronic conditions can now gain access to the vaccine. This includes chronically ill children from age 5 to 18, who were not targeted last week.

H1N1 Vaccine Priority: Chronic Conditions Targeted

As of the second week of November Quebecers across the province who are under age 65 and suffer from cardiac illness or chronic lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis and asthma can go to their local vaccination clinic. Other conditions mentioned in documentation are diabetes and other metabolic illnesses, and diseases of the kidney, liver and blood.

Anyone in this age group who is immunosuppressed due to cancer, HIV/AIDS, transplants, etc. also falls in the target group. Please take note that in some regions people who live with an immunosuppressed individual may also be able to be vaccinated. In one region I also noticed that for children with a chronic illness, their minor siblings will be eligible to be vaccinated at the same time. This certainly means less hassle for the parents!

Non-Adjuvanted Vaccine Now Ready for Pregnant Women

Children aged 6 to 59 months continue to be targeted for vaccination across the province, and household members of children under 6 months (e.g. parents and siblings living with the newborn) are also eligible to receive the vaccine now.