Vaccine for pregnant women arrives in Ottawa
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 | 4:56 PM ET
CBC News
National guidelines recommend that pregnant women get the adjuvant-free version of the H1N1 vaccine because there has been little research done on the use of adjuvants during pregnancy. Pregnant women in Ottawa will be able to get a shot of adjuvant-free flu vaccine beginning Thursday, according to public health officials.
At a briefing Wednesday afternoon, Ottawa Public Health confirmed it had received 5,500 doses of unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccine.
While a plan for distributing it is still in the early stages, officials said it will be available at the city's five permanent vaccination sites as early as Thursday. The health department is also considering creating vaccination clinics specifically for pregnant women.
Over the last week, vaccination clinics have been administering vaccines with adjuvant — a substance added to stimulate a stronger immune response. National guidelines recommend that pregnant women get the adjuvant-free version of the H1N1 vaccine because there has been little research done on the use of adjuvants during pregnancy.
Ottawa public health officials also confirmed that a male resident died with an H1N1 infection earlier this week.
Public health officials said he had chronic health problems, but they would not confirm his age. The total number of confirmed swine flu cases in Ottawa has now reached 213, although public health officials say most cases have been mild.
