Briefly: November 2, 2012

Nasal spray vaccine

Parents who want to ensure their children are immunized against the flu have another option instead of a needle.

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is the only health authority in BC to pilot FluMist, a vaccine in the form of a nasal spray. Children and youth two to 17 years old who are eligible for a free flu shot can choose the traditional vaccine with a needle or the FluMist, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis at physicians’ offices and public health clinics. The spray contains weakened influenza virus and its most common side effect is a runny nose.

VCH clinics are going ahead as scheduled and were not affected by Health Canada’s precautionary suspension of Novartis vaccines. Health Canada lifted the temporary suspension on all Novartis influenza vaccine products on Wednesday, October 31.

Both Fluad and Agriflu, vaccines manufactured in Italy by Novartis, had been pulled from vaccine campaigns in Canada and some European countries following reports of clumping noted in a specific vaccine batch, which was not released for use. Similar clumping has not been discovered in any vaccine distributed in Canada.

Health Canada determined that there are no safety concerns with any Novartis vaccine products in Canada or British Columbia after extensive consultation with Novartis and public health and regulatory officials in Italy and Switzerland, as well as its own product assessments.

Influenza is highly contagious and can cause serious complications for the very young, seniors and those with underlying health conditions. Approximately 2,000 to 8,000 people die every year across Canada from complications due to the flu and pneumonia, and 90 per cent of those who die are seniors.

“Seniors can catch the flu from their family members and care providers,” said Dr. Paul Martiquet, medical health officer. “All seniors should be vaccinated. It is also important that caregivers and anyone who lives with seniors get vaccinated so that they don’t pass the flu on to them.”

Flu vaccinations are available at special flu clinics, doctors’ offices, pharmacies, walk-in clinics, and at the VCH travel clinic. To find a flu clinic, or for more information about the vaccine, readers can loon online.

Powell River residents will be turning their clocks back one hour this weekend. Daylight saving time ends at 2 am on Sunday, November 4. Readers are encouraged to remember to turn their clocks back one hour before they go to sleep Saturday night.

ICBC (Insurance Corporation of BC) is urging motorists to drive with extra caution as they adjust to the fall time change, which brings darker evening commutes, often along with worse weather and visibility.

Drivers are advised to adjust their speed for the weather conditions and allow extra travel time to prepare for the darker commutes.