The next update will be on Tuesday, October 27th, at 0830 hrs PST.
The WHO Pandemic Alert level remains at Phase 6
Influenza A (H1N1) Cases and Deaths 
*Cases reported by The World Health Organization (WHO) are as of October 11th, 2009
Vaccine News
Canada's health regulator has approved the country's H1N1 influenza vaccine. Canada has ordered 50 million doses from GlaxoSmithKline that are being produced at the company's Ste-Foy, Que., plant. The federal government has already shipped more than two million doses of the vaccine across the country which could be available as soon as Monday. Health Minister Leona Agglukkaq has also approved the rapid rollout of the vaccine. Vaccinations in most provinces should begin by October, 26th. CBC
British Columbia's provincial health officer, Dr. Perry Kendall, said the province is looking into bringing in retired nurses or pharmacists licensed to deliver injections to help with the H1N1 vaccination process. In Toronto, mass flu clinics will be set up in civic centres and schools. In Winnipeg, an empty store in a downtown mall will be converted to a vaccination centre. Health care workers in Toronto and Saskatchewan are set to receive the first doses while in New Brunswick, some of the first vaccination clinics will take place within the province's First Nations communities, as well as schools. Mass vaccination clinics for H1N1 will also be held in places like community centres and school gymnasiums. AOL
Saskatchewan has unveiled its provincial H1N1 vaccination program where vaccinations begin with health-care workers, moving into the risk groups of those with underlying health conditions, young children, and pregnant women. About 120,000 people are in the high-risk categories, including First Nations and those in remote communities. People will be asked to complete a questionnaire when they go to an immunization clinic to determine if they are in a high-risk group. Canadian Press
European governments are starting to roll out mass vaccination programmes against the H1N1 virus. A nationwide vaccination program launched on Oct. 21 in Britain, starting with front-line health workers and hospital patients deemed to be at high risk. Vaccinations for health care workers in France began on October 20th. Vaccination programs began on October 12th and 14th in Sweden and Italy respectively, while the program should start on 22nd October in Finland, 26th October in Germany, November 2nd in Ireland, and November 9th in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Reuters
According to Dr. Anne Schuchat, officials at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had expected about 40 million doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine to be distributed by the end of the month, but it looks as though a maximum of 28 million to 30 million doses will actually be shipped in the same time frame. Mexico is facing similar shortages of the H1N1 vaccine. Officials had promised 30 million doses, but now say they don't expect the first batch of 5 million to 8 million doses until late December. The delay was attributed to the huge demand for vaccines around the world. Los Angeles Times
H1N1 influenza vaccinations will begin in New York City’s public elementary schools next week, as parents are encouraged to sign consent forms being sent home with students now. The vaccinations will be given by school nurses and are expected to be available for about eight weeks. Private schools that choose to participate will also receive the vaccine. Children will get an injection or a nasal spray form of the vaccine, and those younger than 10 years old will need two doses to be fully protected. New York Times
Weekly Feature
Check out Health Link BC’s H1N1 symptom checker- an online source of trusted health information. Health Link BC
Want to get the H1N1 vaccine as quickly as possible? Find the nearest clinic to you in British Columbia with provincial Flu Clinic Locators. CTV
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