Our chief medical officer of health gave a wrap-up news conference today, effectively signalling the end of the second wave of H1N1 in British Columbia. Here’s how the Vancouver Sun reported it: B.C. residents encouraged to get H1N1 vaccine so third wave avoided. Excerpt:
With 40 per cent of B.C’s population immunized against the H1N1 flu virus provincial health authorities are hoping there will be no significant “third wave” outbreak of the flu within the next few months.
Dr. Perry Kendall, the B.C. Medical Health Officer, said Thursday that the province had a plentiful supply of H1N1 vaccine and persons not yet vaccinated should have the jab in order to reduce the likelihood of a third wave.
With the Olympics about to begin and with the hundreds of thousands of visitors, athletes and media coming to Vancouver persons not yet immunized should do so, he said.
“This vaccine will offer long lasting protection and is a good insurance policy,” said Kendall.
He said vaccinations will be available to Olympic visitors.
The first wave of infections occurred in May last year with the second more serious wave peaking in late October.
Kendall said the virus caused 55 deaths in B.C. with 1,032 persons hospitalized — 20 per cent of whom needed intensive care. Most of the persons affected by H1N1 were persons under the age of 20.
There have been no deaths reported in the last week.
