Northern Health CEO, Cathy Ulrich (left), receives her influenza vaccine   photo courtesy Northern Health

Prince George, BC –  Northern Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer is not concerned a temporary hold on a large portion of the country’s flu vaccine will dissuade people from getting immunized this fall.

Following Europe’s lead, Canada suspended use of the vaccine while it conducted its own investigation, after the Italian supplier noticed proteins suspended in one batch.  Health Canada cleared the Novartis shots for use this morning.

And Northern Health’s Dr. Ronald Chapman says the whole process should give people comfort that the safety mechanisms are in place and are working internationally to make sure the vaccines are safe.

As Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Chapman highly recommends the vaccine.  He dismisses a common misconception that getting the vaccine will ‘give you’ the flu, saying it’s actually made of dead virus particles, so it you do get flu-like symptoms, it’s simply another virus that’s responsible.  "As far as complications are concerned, it’s like with any medications – there are complications, but they are few and far between."  He says the flu, particularly influenza, has killed between four- and 8,000 people in Canada.  Those most at-risk are the elderly, and very young children.

This year, the BC Government is requiring all health care workers get the flu vaccine or wear a face mask while on the job.  Dr. Chapman says the initiative has gone over well. 

"Just to give you an example, we started offering flu clinics the 9th of October and, within two-and-a-half weeks, the number of people that have come forward for the vaccine has exceeded already what we did last year in the whole immunization campaign (for health workers)."

Dr. Chapman says that sends a strong message that health care workers are supporting the campaign and want to ensure the safety of their patients.  Public flu clinics began on Monday in the region.  For more information on upcoming clinics, click here.