Antivirals
Pandemic influenza is expected to occur in waves,
and may hit individual communities at different times. There
could be up to three waves of pandemic influenza in B.C.
before the pandemic is finished.
Antiviral drugs could be used during a pandemic for early treatment of illness. Antivirals may mainly be used while a vaccine for the pandemic strain is being developed and manufactured. Both Canada and B.C. have purchased an advance supply of antivirals, and have committed to purchasing more.
Government supplies of antivirals will be targeted to those people considered to be at highest risk of illness from influenza, and health care and essential service workers. These priority groups may change depending on the characteristics of the pandemic.
Some people or organizations may choose to purchase their own supplies of antivirals. Since these are prescribed drugs that require special handling and use, any purchase should only be done under the guidance of a doctor.
Influenza Vaccine
Getting your annual influenza vaccine is one of the best ways to prevent or reduce the impact of influenza. This also helps determine the demand and supply of vaccine.
Once the new pandemic virus is identified, a vaccine can be produced. It
may six months or longer to develop and produce the
first doses; large-scale production will begin as
quickly as possible.
Canada has a plan and contract with a manufacturer to research and produce a vaccine for an influenza pandemic virus once it is identified, so production can start as soon as possible.
For more information on antivirals and immunization
during a pandemic, refer to the Antiviral
Drugs During an Influenza Pandemic (PDF 46K)
and Immunization During
an Influenza Pandemic (PDF 50K)
factsheets.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
It is recommended that people who are eligible for the public pneumococcal vaccine program visit their local public health clinic to receive this vaccination. Pneumococcal (pronounced NU-MO-CAW-COLL) vaccine helps to prevent the onset of pneumococcal pneumonia, and is available in B.C. free of charge to people over the age of 65 and those with certain chronic medical conditions. Infants also are provided with a form of pneumococcal vaccination. It is safe to get the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines at the same time, though the pneumococcal vaccine protects for several years and should not be given annually.
For more information on the pneumococcal vaccine and eligibility for the public program, see BC HealthFiles Pneumococcal Infection: Conjugate Vaccine or Pneumococcal Infection: Polysaccharide Vaccine.
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