Canada: Suspends Seasonal Flu Shot as it Doubles Risk of H1N1 Infection

Canada: Suspends Seasonal Flu Shot as it Doubles Risk of H1N1 Infection

VICTORIA — British Columbia is suspending its annual seasonal flu shot program amidst emerging concerns the vaccination could make people more susceptible to catching H1N1.

The suspension — which limits the seasonal flu vaccination mostly to the elderly — puts B.C. in line with many other Canadian provinces, but means most people will not have access to any type of influenza vaccination until at least mid-November.

Kendall said the decision rested in part on a new Canadian study — which has not yet been peer reviewed or published —that found those who receive the seasonal flu vaccine become two times more likely to get H1N1.