Public Health Flu Clinics Continue
Written by admin, October 29, 2012
October 29, 2012 – While Health Canada Investigates Suspended Vaccines – Suspended Vaccines Never Used in Public Clinics; Residents Encouraged to Get The Flu Shot
The Peterborough Public Health is encouraging local residents to get their flu shot at community clinics which continue as planned while Health Canada investigates two vaccine brands that were temporarily suspended last Friday.
“I want to reassure all local residents that Public Health is only providing Vaxigrip and Fluviral brand influenza vaccines at its community flu clinics and not the two suspended brands Agriflu and FluAd,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “Our flu clinics remain open for business and we encourage everyone, especially families with young children and those in contact with seniors to get immunized. The Vaxigrip and Fluviral vaccines are safe and remain the best way to protect yourself and others from spreading the flu virus.”
Community flu clinics will be taking place in Apsley today (October 29) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the North Kawartha Community Centre and tomorrow (October 30) from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Evinrude Centre. For a full schedule of upcoming community flu clinics, visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca.
The Public Health had distributed Agriflu and FluAd to some local healthcare providers and has already alerted them about the Health Canada suspension of these vaccine brands so they will not be given to patients. Currently there is no recommendation that patients who have already been immunized with either of the suspended vaccines should be “re-immunized”.
There is no evidence that there is any risk associated with the Agriflu or FluAd vaccines produced by Novartis. Health Canada has indicated that should a safety concern be identified, immediate and appropriate action will be taken. Health Canada, as well as Public Health Ontario, have also indicated that to date, they have received no reports of serious or unexpected adverse events related to the administration of these vaccines. The action taken by Health Canada to temporarily suspend the distribution and use of these vaccines is a precautionary measure and is not related to any health risks having been directly observed.
Agriflu and Fluad are two of the seasonal flu vaccines produced by Novartis that have been pulled from use in several European countries pending further examination of white floating material discovered clumping in the vaccines. As a precautionary step, Health Canada asked Novartis to suspend distribution of the vaccines in Canada until a full review of the situation is completed. The Public Health Agency of Canada is also recommending that health care professionals in possession of these vaccines refrain from using them until the review is complete.
For further information, residents are encouraged to refer to the question and answer document posted on Public Health’s website at www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca .
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391