Who Should Get the H1N1 Vaccine

H1N1 Influenza Vaccine

At this time, the H1N1 virus is not circulating in Alberta.

As such, the H1N1 Vaccine is no longer available for general public or high risk Albertans, unless planning to travel outside of Canada.

The H1N1 Vaccine is still available for unimmunized travellers.

If you are planning to travel and have not yet received the H1N1 Vaccine, please contact your local travel health clinic to receive the vaccine before travelling. 

Surveillance of H1N1 activity continues and Alberta Health Services will advise the public should Public Health recommendations change.

View Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about H1N1 Immunization.

Seasonal Influenza immunization information

Alberta's seasonal influenza immunization program ended on April 30, 2010; however, travel clinics continue to offer seasonal influenza vaccine to Albertans planning to travel.  Contact your local travel health clinic for more information. 

Frequently asked questions about seasonal influenza

What is the difference between adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted vaccine?

An adjuvant is a substance that is added to a vaccine in order to boost the individual's response. It also means that less of the actual virus or "antigen" is needed to make a dose of the vaccine.

Non-adjuvanted vaccine has no "booster" element, and more antigen is needed to create this kind of vaccine.

Non-adjuvanted vaccine is recommended for pregnant women but both vaccines are considered equally safe. Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health agrees with the advice of PHAC - that the adjuvant is safe, and the risks posed to pregnant women who get the flu are far, far greater than any the vaccine may pose.

Does AHW recommend the adjuvanted vaccine for pregnant women?

See latest vaccine information.

Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health agrees with the advice of the Public Health Agency of Canada - that pregnant women receive one dose of an unadjuvanted vaccine wherever possible.

However, in cases where unadjuvanted vaccine is not available, and rates of pandemic influenza disease is high, women in the second half of their pregnancy (more than 20 weeks) should be offered adjuvanted vaccine.

Once approved by Health Canada, both H1N1 vaccines will be considered equally safe.

Ultimately, this is a personal choice for women - we recommend getting your shot as soon as possible.

How is H1N1 different from seasonal influenza?

There are many strains of influenza circulating each year during the influenza season, and most people have some degree of immunity from previous exposure to related strains. The yearly influenza vaccine provides protection against the three most common strains identified during the previous season. This season, Pandemic H1N1 influenza is expected to be the predominant strain.

How can influenza be prevented?

• Be immunized against influenza.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand cleanser.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with your arm or a tissue.
• Stay home and rest when you are sick so you don't spread the virus to others.

For more information:

Visit www.health.alberta.ca, www.albertahealthservices.ca or www.fightflu.ca for more information on influenza and Pandemic (H1N1) Influenza 2009.

If you are sick, call your local public health office or Health Link Alberta in Edmonton at 780-408-5465, in Calgary at 403-943-5465, or toll free at 1-866-408-5465 for advice. If your symptoms become more severe (shortness of breath), see a health professional.