Swine flu vaccine approved in Canada

The H1N1 vaccine has been approved for rollout across Canada, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced Wednesday.

"I'm happy to say that today Health Canada has authorized the H1N1 flu virus vaccine," Aglukkaq told an Ottawa news conference. "This is a milestone in our efforts to fight H1N1 flu virus."

She encouraged all Canadians to get the vaccine once it is available in their community, as early as next week.

The overriding objective in reviewing the H1N1 influenza A vaccine, called Arepanrix, was to protect the health and safety of Canadians, she said. Health Canada will continue to monitor use of the vaccine in collaboration with regulators worldwide.

The announcement means the vaccine performed as expected in tests, and most people will gain immunity within 10 days of receiving one dose, said Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada's chief public health officer.

Typically, seasonal flu shots offer 60 to 80 per cent immunity. So far, one dose of the H1N1 vaccine seems to offer immunity in the "high 90s" in healthy adults, Butler-Jones said.

The federal government shipped more than two million doses of the pandemic vaccine across the country in anticipation of the approval.

via CBC News - North - Swine flu vaccine approved in Canada.

via http://thevitreousphantasm.blogspot.com/

Brilliant photo.