TORONTO, Oct 6, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Annual flu shots have been delayed in
much of Canada because of an unpublished study suggesting the shots increase
one's likelihood of contracting swine flu.
Twelve of Canada's 13 provinces and territories have put off the flu shots for
most people until after H1N1 inoculations are done, probably by year's end, The
Wall Street Journal reported in Wednesday's editions.
Researchers from the British Columbia Center for Disease Control, the Ontario
Agency for Health Protection and Promotion and Laval University in Quebec
co-authored the study. They say it has yet to be reviewed for publication in a
journal, but won't say which.
Few people have seen the study's data and some remain skeptical of its
conclusion, the Journal said. Perry Kendall, provincial health officer for
British Columbia, said the study "wasn't something we felt we could ignore."
British Columbia decided to limit seasonal-flu shots to people age 65 and older
until after the H1N1 vaccinations.
Kendall, who said he has seen the data and has spoken with the study's
co-authors, said the study suggests people vaccinated against seasonal flu are
twice as likely to contract the swine flu.
"Why would you want to run the risk of doubling people's risk of getting H1N1?"
Kendall said.
Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
said told reporters recently there is no "real explanation technically or
scientifically" for a link between the seasonal flu shot and a greater chance of
contracting H1N1.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International