The Sunrise Health Region has officially resumed its influenza vaccine clinics. Clinics had been temporarily suspended as a result of a Health Canada review of flu vaccine made by the pharmaceutical firm Novartis following a concern in Europe.
The review has been completed, and there are no concerns about the safety or effectiveness of the Novartis flu vaccine distributed in Canada.
This means that anyone who has received the vaccine this year does not need another dose. The temporary ban on distribution was lifted this morning.
"This is good news for many reasons," says Dr. Mandiangu Nsungu, Medical Health Officer. "We know from this review that the batch in which the clumping was observed in Europe never entered the market, never came to Canada and that the vaccine is safe and effective. "The public can be confident in the high standards of Canadian public immunization programs which respond to potential problems quickly and ensure that quality review mechanisms are in place."
Public flu immunization clinics resumed in Esterhazy at the Golden Jets Centre from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Grayson Senior Centre from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., and in Yorkton at the New Horizons Centre from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. A complete listing of clinics can be found at www.sunrisehealthregion.sk.ca and a daily listing is on the toll-free information line at 1-866-800-5510.
"I encourage everyone who has not already been vaccinated to attend one of the clinics which will resume tomorrow," adds Dr. Nsungu. "When many people are immunized it protects the whole population and not just the person who is immunized, as the spread of illness is reduced."
Additional clinics will be provided in communities where clinics were temporarily suspended during the Health Canada review.
