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 November 1st, 2009
Vaccine News
According to Ontario health officials, the GlaxoSmithKline H1N1 unadjuvanted vaccine that is intended for pregnant women won't be going into arms any time soon because Ottawa has not approved it yet. Pregnant women can still get the Australian-made H1N1 shot that doesn't contain an adjuvant. Canadian Press
Alberta is planning to open targeted H1N1 vaccination clinics to children under age 10 with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and to parents of infants less than six months of age. Calgary Herald
With over 800,000 doses of H1N1 flu vaccine delivered to people throughout the province, 20% of British Columbia’s population has now been vaccinated. A further 250,000 doses of vaccine will be delivered to the province this week. 250 News
Quebec Health Minister Yves Bolduc credits the creation of special vaccination clinics for the province's success in doling out the vaccine. Bolduc said the province's decision to open special vaccination clinics is largely responsible for helping it distribute more of the H1N1 vaccine than any other province. Quebec had vaccinated more than 800,000 people, compared with only 322,000 in Ontario. CBC
Saskatchewan is expecting to get 65,000 more vaccine doses from the manufacturer and has started vaccinating children up to Grade 6. The province is also hoping to expand vaccinations to parents of children under six months of age, people with suppressed immune systems, and those under 35 with underlying health conditions. News Talk CJME
Nova Scotians 19 years of age or younger and who have chronic medical conditions, along with mothers who have just given birth, are now eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine. The partner of each mother is also eligible for a shot. Canadian Press
Canada's ambassador to Afghanistan is warning that the war-torn country won't be able to rely on Ottawa for extra supplies of H1N1 vaccine. A domestic shortage of the pandemic vaccine makes it unlikely that Canada will be able to send any extra doses overseas. Canadian officials are working to find other ways to slow the spread of H1N1 flu in Afghanistan, which has recently called on foreign countries to provide vaccine. Canadian Press
H1N1 flu vaccine for uniformed service members has arrived at the U.S. Army Medical Material Center, Europe in Pirmasens, Germany. Army health clinics will begin vaccinations as soon as they receive supplies. Distribution to large U.S. Military Treatment Facilities will begin November 9th. Vaccine is expected to arrive at smaller outlying clinics by Nov. 10. United States European Command
France is the latest country to embark on a national H1N1 flu vaccination effort. The program currently targets people in high risk groups such as pregnant women and health care workers. School-aged children will be able to get the pandemic shot starting November 25th. The government said it hopes to immunize about six million people through the program. Canadian Press
National News
Alberta Health has reported five more deaths linked to H1N1 influenza. The provincial health department said that brings the total number of Alberta deaths related to the virus to 25 since the new strain of flu first appeared in the spring. Public health representatives have also said the second wave of H1N1 had not yet hit its peak in Alberta and more deaths from the virus are likely. Calgary Herald
Alberta police are warning the public about scam artists playing on public worry surrounding the H1N1 virus. Some of the alleged H1N1 remedies appearing on the Internet include protective shampoos, nasal sprays, ultraviolet light machines, air sterilizers, and even a pill that claims to cure a H1N1 flu infection within hours. So far only three products have been authorized by Health Canada that should be used against the H1N1 virus — the vaccine Arepanrix, and the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. Edmonton Sun
According to reports, the top 200 donors at Montreal's Jewish General Hospital have already been inoculated against the H1N1 virus. Also, board members of Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital were offered H1N1 flu shots at a regularly scheduled board of governors meeting October 26th. The Ontario union, representing over 46,000 health care workers, has urged all 65 of Mount Sinai's board members, who received their vaccinations on October 26th, to resign. Canwest News Service
International News
The American government has ordered, on an emergency basis, 10,000 treatment courses of peramivir for its national stockpile. Peramivir is given intravenously, making it usable by hospitalized patients who are too ill to take Tamiflu, which is typically given as a pill or Relenza from GlaxoSmithKline, which is inhaled. On October 23rd, the Federal Drug Administration had granted emergency use authorization for the drug to be used in emergencies for patients hospitalized with H1N1 flu. New York Times
British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline is currently Saudi Arabia's sole supplier of an H1N1 flu vaccine. Saudi Arabia's vaccination campaign was launched on November 7th and will first focus on pilgrims and health workers. Reuters
Slovakia has closed all but one road border crossing with Ukraine on November 8th because of Ukraine's flu epidemic. The EU member state's decision was temporary and aimed to protect the bloc. Doctors and hygienists will be stationed at the border to monitor passengers and have the powers to bar anyone suspected of being infected from entering the country. Reuters
A potentially devastating outbreak of H1N1 flu among the Yanomami Indians in Venezuela's Amazon rain forest appears to be contained for now after a rapid medical response in the remote zone. Symptoms of H1N1 flu showed up in more than 1,000 Yanomami according to local health officials said. Medics have given the flu drug Tamiflu to more than 2,000 villagers in the tribal area, which is accessible only by river or aircraft. Reuters
South Korea will provide US$50,000 worth of flu masks to Ukraine, which has seen a large number of influenza-related deaths believed to be linked with the H1N1 virus. The provision of flu masks comes as Kiev has recently asked the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international agencies for emergency aid to relieve the spread of the H1N1 virus. Yonhap News
Check out the number of vaccines already distributed and forecasted to be distributed throughout Canada, province by province from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
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