Seasonal flu, swine flu, who should be vaccinated and when…yes, the flu season this year requires a bit of research for most of us. To help straighten out the confusion, here are four things to know:

1. There are two separate flu types this year. Along with the seasonal flu (the "regular" flu that usually shows up in November and occurs through April every year), the novel H1N1 flu (popularly called "swine flu") is also spreading through the country. 2009 H1N1 is a new influenza virus that first appeared in April of 2009. It was called "swine flu" because it is similar to viruses that occur in pigs. H1N1 has continued to spread since spring 2009. So far, people who have contracted the 2009 H1N1 flu are experiencing very similar symptoms to those of seasonal flu, with the typical sore throat, fever, chills, headache and aching muscles. H1N1 flu may also cause vomiting and diarrhea, which are uncommon with seasonal flu.
   
   
2. There is a separate vaccine for H1N1, so to be fully protected requires two shots. The government will be purchasing 50.4 million doses of H1N1 vaccine, and officials are predicting that immunization will begin in November. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) also recommends that all Canadians over six months of age receive the immunization for seasonal flu.
   
   
3. The recommendation for the sequence of the two immunizations has recently changed in most provinces/territories. A small study has suggested that people under 50 might be more likely to contract H1N1 if they have previously received their annual seasonal flu shot. This study is unpublished and has not been replicated. But for now, several provinces/territories are delaying distribution of the seasonal vaccine until after the H1N1 vaccine is available. However, seniors are at highest risk for complications of the seasonal flu—so several provinces are still recommending that older adults receive the regular flu vaccine during October.
   
   
4. Seniors are not in the highest priority group for the H1N1 vaccine. You may have read the interesting observation by health officials that seniors seem to have a higher level of natural immunity to H1N1. This is because people born before 1957 are more likely to have immunity from previous flu strains that resembled H1N1. But seniors are still at risk for serious complications, especially if they have chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease. Your healthcare provider can tell you more.  

So…what should seniors and family do?

Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions about the flu or vaccine. Each province and territory has also posted online information. PHAC offers an online directory of links to provincial and territorial government information.

Meanwhile, remember that the steps to prevent contracting and spreading both preventing seasonal flu and H1N1 are the same:

• Prevent the spread of flu germs. The viruses that cause cold and flu are spread through the air or through direct hand contact. So the most effective way to prevent the spread of these viruses is hand washing. Wash the hands often in soap and water, and avoid putting fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective. Avoid sharing drinking glasses, use paper towels and paper cups, and use tissues instead of a cloth handkerchief. 
  
  
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If a friend or relative—especially a small child—is showing signs of illness, ask that they visit at a later time. What if you are caring for a person with the flu at home? Follow the above sanitation steps. Take extra precautions while disposing of used tissues. And wash used linens with hot water, tumbling dry on the "hot" setting.

For More Information
   
See the FlightFlu.ca website for consumer information about protecting yourself and loved ones against the flu, including H1N1.

PHAC also offers information on the seasonal flu shot.  

Immunizations Save Lives

Give your brain a workout with this month's puzzle, which contains 20 words all having to do with vaccines. Click here to download and print your copy. To learn more about adult immunization recommendations, visit the Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness & Promotion.