OTTAWA - The federal government has ordered 200,000 doses of H1N1 flu vaccine from Australia so pregnant women who prefer their shot without an “adjuvant” – a booster – won’t have to delay inoculation.
On Day One of a countrywide public immunization campaign, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said the unadjuvanted vaccine, manufactured for the Australians by CSL, should be available as early as next week.
The government has already ordered 1.8 million doses of unadjuvanted vaccine from its Canadian supplier, GlaxoSmithKline, but that isn’t expected to be available until later in November.
The rest of the vaccine ordered by the government – more than 48 million doses – contains adjuvant.
An adjuvant is an additive that boosts the immune-system response, making it more effective. The adjuvant used in Canada’s H1N1 vaccine contains fish oil, water and vitamin E.
Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada’s chief public health officer, said adjuvanted vaccine is “a better vaccine” than unadjuvanted product and “will afford better protection a the end of the day.”
Health Canada recommends that women more than 20 weeks pregnant, or who are pregnant but have underlying health problems, get the adjuvanted vaccine. Many, however, prefer to wait for the unadjuvanted version.
“We provided this (unadjuvanted) as an option,” said Butler-Jones. “We’re confident in the adjuvanted vaccine. Most countries that are using adjuvanted vaccine, that’s the only vaccine they’re offering. We have a lot of confidence in that, in pregnancy as well. “
The Australian order “will help ensure everyone has access to the H1N1 vaccine at the right time,” Aglukkaq said. Health Canada did not say how much the imported order of vaccine would cost taxpayers.
The government focused initially on adjuvanted vaccine based on the recommendation of the World Health Organization, but during the summer, the WHO suggested also making unadjuvanted vaccine available to pregnant women.
Both Aglukkaq and Butler-Jones reiterated their plea to Canadians to get vaccinated. Few people have immunity to the H1N1 strain, said Aglukkaq, noting young people in particular are vulnerable to the virus.
christina.spencer@sunmedia.ca
