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SASKATCHEWAN (CBC) - Some Ontario residents at high risk of complications from swine flu are unable to get the vaccine against it because they are allergic to eggs.
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Eggs are used as incubators for the H1N1 vaccine, so Canada's chief medical officer, Dr. David Butler-Jones, has advised those with egg allergies to get vaccinated under the supervision of their allergists.
People with such allergies often have asthma or other respiratory difficulties that put them at higher risk of complications if they get the flu.
However, so far the vaccine is not available to Ontario allergists.
"It's been frustrating," said Ottawa allergist Dr. Seema Khan. "We've made many phone calls trying to figure out when we can get the vaccine."
Allergists can determine what precautions must be taken for each patient depending on medical history. They can use methods to help desensitize some patients to the vaccine if necessary. They are also trained to recognize and treat any dangerous adverse reactions that might occur.
Private physicians have to fill out forms to get authorization to vaccinate, but the province of Ontario hasn't sent the forms yet, Khan said.
That means Ottawa resident Elizabeth McCarten can't get her 17-year-old daughter Isabel, who has asthma and is allergic to eggs, vaccinated. She is upset at provincial health authorities for the delay.
"They don't seem to appreciate that the patients who are involved are the ones who are at risk of severe complications and are the ones who could end up on ventilators," she said.
McCarten has just returned to Canada with her family after 16 years in Washington, D.C. Her daughter's allergist in Washington is already administering the H1N1 vaccine. She said she's hoping the vaccine will be available to her daughter in Canada soon, but if it isn't, she'll consider taking Isabel back to Washington to get the shot.
There are ways to produce vaccines without using eggs.
But on Tuesday, Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, said these non-egg based approaches for creating flu vaccines are still considered experimental, and he's unaware of any countries using these techniques.
Personal note: I am not telling anyone to not take the shot, which is why I wrote MY OPINION on my reply to one of the topics here about the flu shot H1N1.
This is my personal feelings about these vaccine, that they come up with every year.
Again this article, don't you think it is a bit late for them to finally write an article saying if you are allergic to eggs, then you cannot get the shot, please... what happens to the poor soul who went in thinking it would protect them, only to find out a few days later that since he or she is allergic to eggs, that they could end up on a respirator.
That's what happens if a person contract GBS, if they do not try to do as much therapy possible, the paralyzing crawl upward to the lungs, which eventually gets this patient on a ventilator.
I gather if a person as a strong immune system, then they can take this vaccine without being sick.
But for all those who did try once the flu shot, and were sick for weeks, like many that I know, including myself and my father, that's when we must make this a very important decision, and that's when we weigh in the pro's and the con's of this H1N1 shot.
One more thing that they did, (government & medical specialist) in the beginning April, 09., when the first person in the States died from it, they said that the swine flu was from pigs, Right? Right?
Lately they are saying that all pork products are safe to consume.
Like they put ideas in the people's minds, then turn around and turn their own statements around.
It's madning, that they can't get their stories straight.
No wonder the people don't know where to turn anymore, who to trust, do we take the shot? or we don't take it.
I was almost convinced yesterday for my daughter to get it, tomorrow when it comes to her school, but now I don't know anymore. I know one thing for sure, both Richard and I are not taking it, but since our daughter is in constant contact with what 800-900 students, daily.
I am still debating, HELP ME ! it's driving me crazy, I am so scared that my daughter will die from it, with or without the vaccine.
We have a 10 year old girl that passed away yesterday in Cornwall.
Cornwall is where I went shopping 2 days ago, it's approximately 25 miles from my home.
Frankly they have us all confused, what is one to do, it's as if we are damn if we do, and damn if we don't.
Mckenzie, a mother in distress over this, scare to death for my children, and grandson.
I respect any opinion you can post here tonight, the vaccine is given tomorrow afternoon, at our daughter High School.
Thanks, Mckenzie
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Eggs are used as incubators for the H1N1 vaccine, so Canada's chief medical officer, Dr. David Butler-Jones, has advised those with egg allergies to get vaccinated under the supervision of their allergists.
People with such allergies often have asthma or other respiratory difficulties that put them at higher risk of complications if they get the flu.
However, so far the vaccine is not available to Ontario allergists.
"It's been frustrating," said Ottawa allergist Dr. Seema Khan. "We've made many phone calls trying to figure out when we can get the vaccine."
Allergists can determine what precautions must be taken for each patient depending on medical history. They can use methods to help desensitize some patients to the vaccine if necessary. They are also trained to recognize and treat any dangerous adverse reactions that might occur.
Private physicians have to fill out forms to get authorization to vaccinate, but the province of Ontario hasn't sent the forms yet, Khan said.
That means Ottawa resident Elizabeth McCarten can't get her 17-year-old daughter Isabel, who has asthma and is allergic to eggs, vaccinated. She is upset at provincial health authorities for the delay.
"They don't seem to appreciate that the patients who are involved are the ones who are at risk of severe complications and are the ones who could end up on ventilators," she said.
McCarten has just returned to Canada with her family after 16 years in Washington, D.C. Her daughter's allergist in Washington is already administering the H1N1 vaccine. She said she's hoping the vaccine will be available to her daughter in Canada soon, but if it isn't, she'll consider taking Isabel back to Washington to get the shot.
There are ways to produce vaccines without using eggs.
But on Tuesday, Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, said these non-egg based approaches for creating flu vaccines are still considered experimental, and he's unaware of any countries using these techniques.
Personal note: I am not telling anyone to not take the shot, which is why I wrote MY OPINION on my reply to one of the topics here about the flu shot H1N1.
This is my personal feelings about these vaccine, that they come up with every year.
Again this article, don't you think it is a bit late for them to finally write an article saying if you are allergic to eggs, then you cannot get the shot, please... what happens to the poor soul who went in thinking it would protect them, only to find out a few days later that since he or she is allergic to eggs, that they could end up on a respirator.
That's what happens if a person contract GBS, if they do not try to do as much therapy possible, the paralyzing crawl upward to the lungs, which eventually gets this patient on a ventilator.
I gather if a person as a strong immune system, then they can take this vaccine without being sick.
But for all those who did try once the flu shot, and were sick for weeks, like many that I know, including myself and my father, that's when we must make this a very important decision, and that's when we weigh in the pro's and the con's of this H1N1 shot.
One more thing that they did, (government & medical specialist) in the beginning April, 09., when the first person in the States died from it, they said that the swine flu was from pigs, Right? Right?
Lately they are saying that all pork products are safe to consume.
Like they put ideas in the people's minds, then turn around and turn their own statements around.
It's madning, that they can't get their stories straight.
No wonder the people don't know where to turn anymore, who to trust, do we take the shot? or we don't take it.
I was almost convinced yesterday for my daughter to get it, tomorrow when it comes to her school, but now I don't know anymore. I know one thing for sure, both Richard and I are not taking it, but since our daughter is in constant contact with what 800-900 students, daily.
I am still debating, HELP ME ! it's driving me crazy, I am so scared that my daughter will die from it, with or without the vaccine.
We have a 10 year old girl that passed away yesterday in Cornwall.
Cornwall is where I went shopping 2 days ago, it's approximately 25 miles from my home.
Frankly they have us all confused, what is one to do, it's as if we are damn if we do, and damn if we don't.
Mckenzie, a mother in distress over this, scare to death for my children, and grandson.
I respect any opinion you can post here tonight, the vaccine is given tomorrow afternoon, at our daughter High School.
Thanks, Mckenzie
It's nothing like someone who is allergic to peanuts, but we have episodes of coughing, and tightness of the lungs, whenever we do have eggs, or ice cream, especially ice cream.
We use our ventolin inhaler when we do splurge and have dairy products.
So yes I do need some smart replies to help me decide what we should do for the children.
I do believe that my son, and his family have decided to take the H1N1 shot, but our daughter, she depends on us, and what we decide for her at this stage, but I am at the point that I don't know anymore.
There is too much controversy since the beginning of this flu.
Thanks for your patience with me.
Mckenzie