Manitoulin residents get shots of wrong flu vaccine
By Star Staff
Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 11:00
Local News - As Homer
Simpson might say, “Doh!”
The Sudbury and District Health Unit announced Tuesday it has
learned that some of last year’s influenza vaccine was
inadvertently included in this year’s shipment from the Ontario
Government Pharmacy.
As a result, people on Manitoulin Island who have already
received their flu shot may have to have a second shot to be
fully immunized.
Using a prior year’s vaccine is safe, but may result in
inadequate protection for the strain of flu expected to
circulate in the current year, the health unit said in a news
release.
“The Sudbury and District Health Unit has reviewed its records
and identified that two clinics on Manitoulin Island used last
year’s vaccine,” the news release said.
“These individuals have already been contacted directly by the
health unit and advised to obtain a second flu shot.”
The health unit also said it has contacted all health-care
providers who received flu vaccines this year. Health-care
providers were asked to check their vaccine stock and to review
immunization records.
The health unit requested that anyone identified as having
received last year’s vaccine be notified directly by the
health-care provider.
“If people were immunized with last year’s vaccine, they may be
only partially protected from the influenza viruses expected to
circulate this year,” said Kelly Reilly, manager of clinic
services with the Sudbury and District Health Unit.
“That is why we recommend re-immunization for anyone who is
informed that they received last year’s vaccine,” Reilly said.
“Getting a second flu shot is safe and will ensure that people
are appropriately protected against influenza this season.”
The health unit said it will closely monitor the response to its
letter to health-care providers and offer assistance as needed.
ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND
MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION
PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS
OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR
LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND
COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH
YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
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