Supporting the Health and Well-Being of Residents

Provincial Flu Vaccination Program Expands to New Target Group

The Provincial Government has received its next shipment of 16,000 influenza vaccines and is in the process of distributing them to regional health authorities. Starting on Tuesday, January 21, FluMist, which is a widely-used influenza vaccine, will be available for generally healthy individuals between the ages two to 59. Individuals with existing health conditions should contact the provincial HealthLine at 1-888-709-2929 to confirm whether they qualify to receive FluMist. This expands on the previous target group of children under five years old and pregnant women.

“The Provincial Government has secured more than 80,000 additional doses of vaccine which will be distributed by the four regional health authorities over the coming weeks. We are now expanding our target groups to include generally healthy individuals aged two to 59 years. The additional vaccine that we have obtained will further complement the more than 130,000 doses already administered throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”
-The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services

The Provincial Government has obtained a product called FluMist which is being used throughout North America and Europe to protect individuals against seasonal influenza. FluMist is an effective vaccine that is delivered through a nasal spray as opposed to a needle. Public health nurses have been fully trained to deliver this product.

Additional vaccine deliveries are expected within the next two weeks at which time the target groups will again be expanded. If individuals have already had their seasonal influenza vaccine earlier this year, they have protection from the three strains of flu circulating, including H1N1.

Regional health authorities will be sharing information regarding clinics in their respective regions today.

As of Friday, January 17, there have been 161 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza. The majority are influenza A and of those subtyped, all are H1N1. There have been 36 hospitalizations, and 12 admissions to intensive care, and one confirmed death. In comparison, there were 408 cases of influenza, 138 hospitalizations, 16 admissions to intensive care, and nine deaths at the same time last year.

The province continues to experience a moderate influenza season in Newfoundland and Labrador, however people must continue to be mindful and remember the basic rules to reducing exposure or transmission of influenza. People should remember to clean their hands regularly, cover coughs or sneezes and contain their illness by staying home when they are sick.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• Starting on Tuesday, January 21, FluMist, which is a widely-used influenza vaccine, will be available for generally healthy individuals between the ages two to 59. Individuals with existing health conditions should contact the provincial HealthLine at 1-888-709-2929 to confirm whether they qualify to receive FluMist. This expands on the previous target group of children under five years old and pregnant women.
• H1N1 has become a part of the normal seasonal flu viruses circulating over the last four years. If individuals have already had their seasonal influenza vaccine earlier this year, they have protection from the three strains of flu circulating, including H1N1.
• Children under five years of age and pregnant women will continue to have access to vaccines.
• The provincial public vaccination program has had high uptake this year with close to 130,000 vaccines being administered throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
• As a result of greater interest in vaccination, the Provincial Government has secured more than 80,000 additional doses of vaccine.

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Media contact:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca 

2014 01 20             9:00 a.m.