Provinces and territories have been updating their flu shot delivery plans for this fall in response to a controversial and unpublished study that suggests getting a seasonal flu shot may increase the risk of catching swine flu. Here's a look at what some jurisdictions are doing:
Yukon: Giving seasonal flu shots to seniors and residents of long-term care facilities in October, pandemic vaccine to all who want it when it is available in November. Seasonal flu vaccination will likely resume after the pandemic vaccine effort is done, but a decision will be taken later on how broadly to offer seasonal flu shots.
British Columbia: Giving seasonal flu shots to seniors and residents of long-term care homes in October, pandemic vaccine to all who want it when it is available in November. Early in 2010, the seasonal flu shot effort will be resumed.
Alberta: Offering seasonal flu shots to higher-risk groups, including seniors, pregnant women and children between the ages of six months and 23 months. Shutting down that program in November to launch swine flu immunization program.
Northwest Territories: Giving seasonal flu shots in October only to people aged 65 and older, followed by pandemic vaccine for all who want it when it is available in November. Universal seasonal flu shot program to resume after the pandemic vaccine program is completed.
Saskatchewan: Giving seasonal flu shots to seniors and residents of long-term care homes in October, pandemic vaccine to all who want it when it is available in November. Seasonal flu vaccination efforts may be resumed after the pandemic vaccination program is completed.
Manitoba: Giving seasonal flu shots to seniors and residents of long-term care homes in October, pandemic vaccine to all who want it when it is available in November. After the pandemic program is completed, seasonal vaccine delivery will resume.
Nunavut: Giving pandemic flu vaccine in the fall when it is available. A decision on whether to use seasonal flu vaccine this year will be taken later.
Ontario: Giving seasonal flu shots in October to people aged 65 and older and residents of long-term care facilities, followed by pandemic vaccine for all who want it when it is available in November. The province's universal seasonal flu shot program will resume after the pandemic vaccine program is completed.
Quebec: Delaying the entire provincial seasonal flu shot program until January, after the completion of pandemic vaccine delivery efforts.
New Brunswick: Offering regular seasonal flu vaccination program in October to everyone who wants it, followed by the pandemic vaccine program in November.
Nova Scotia: Giving seasonal flu shots to seniors and residents of long-term care homes in October, pandemic vaccine to all who want it when it is available in November. A decision will be taken later on whether to offer seasonal flu shots to people under age 65 after the pandemic vaccine program is completed.
Prince Edward Island: Giving seasonal flu shots to seniors and residents of long-term care in October, pandemic vaccine to all who want it when it is available in November. The final decision will be taken later on whether to offer seasonal flu shots to people under age 65 after the pandemic vaccine program is done.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Offering seasonal flu shots in October, recommending them for people over the age of 65, residents of long-term care homes, and adults and children with chronic heart or lung disease, severe asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or cancer. Pandemic vaccine to be offered when it becomes available in November.
With a report from The Canadian Press
