H1N1 Vaccination Program Extended for Post-Transplant Patients

The Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced today that effective immediately all post-transplant patients will now be offered the H1N1 vaccine. Minister Kennedy also added that discussions are in progress on the use of the unadjuvanted vaccine, which was approved by the Federal Government earlier today, and further details will be announced in the next 24 to 48 hours.

�Again, we are expanding the priority group which will now include all pre-transplant patients on a wait list and all-post transplant patients,� said Minister Kennedy. �These individuals can attend any of the vaccination clinics which will be running through the weekend. As well, students in grades four to six will be offered the H1N1 vaccination starting Monday.�

The full list of individuals eligible for the H1N1 vaccination includes:

• all children six months up to 59 months (up to fifth birthday);
• people five years of age up to and including 24 years of age with chronic conditions;
• pregnant women;
• parents or other primary care providers (up to two per child) of children under the age of six months and of immunocompromised children and young adults (up to and including 24 years of age) who can not themselves be vaccinated;
• hospital in-patients less than 65 years of age with one or more chronic health conditions;
• individuals undergoing active cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiation);
• pre-transplant patients on a wait list and all post-transplant patients;
• school-aged children from kindergarten to grade six;
• individuals under 65 years of age with chronic respiratory disease such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis. Eligibility will require proof of active treatment of the disease (e.g. prescription, labeled medication, insurance forms ); and,
• individuals under 65 years of age with compromised respiratory function due to a physical, neurological or muscular disorder (e.g. ALS, multiple sclerosis, quadriplegia, paraplegia, spina bifida).

�The authorization of the unadjuvanted vaccine by the Federal Government means that the vaccine is safe and effective,� said Minister Kennedy. �However, we continue to engage in discussions with other provinces and territories as to how we will utilize this vaccine. It will likely be 24 to 48 hours before we will have a decision on who will receive the province�s supply of unadjuvanted vaccine. We want to make sure we are giving it to those who most need it and for those for which it will be most effective.�

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Media contact:
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 685-2646
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca 

2009 11 13                                                   3:50 p.m.