Manitoulin residents get shots of wrong flu vaccine

Vaccination News Home Page

http://www.thesudburystar.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=14491&catname=Local+News

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.

Hope you enjoyed reading The Sudbury Star online. Click here to order convenient home delivery.
ID- 14491
 

Printable VersionPrintable Version

Local News
Canada needs a new vision, bank CEO tells students
Education, poverty linked
CAS responds to protests by Gravels
Sudbury soccer goes international


 

 DISCLAIMER | PRIVACY

© 2002, OSPREY MEDIA GROUP INC. 

 

Vaccination News Home Page

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.