Health Information A-Z   >   H1N1 Flu Virus

This Year it's a Different Flu Season

H1N1 clinics are now open to all residents 6 months of age and over. Currently, the last clinic date is December 1, but additional dates and times will be announced for children who require a second dose of the vaccine.

This fall and winter there will be two types of flu viruses circulating - seasonal flu viruses and the pandemic H1N1 flu virus (pH1N1 virus), formerly called Swine flu. Flu vaccines have been developed against these viruses.

The Perth District Health Unit is following the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s recommendations about offering the seasonal and pH1N1 vaccines in three phases:

1. Seasonal Flu Vaccine for People 65 and Over
Beginning in early October, the seasonal vaccine will be available to people 65 years of age and older and residents of Long Term Care Homes. It is very important for older adults to get their seasonal flu shot. The elderly are more susceptible to serious complications and hospitalization from seasonal flu infection.

2. H1N1 Vaccine
H1N1 clinics are now opened to all Perth County residents 6 months and over.

Information for Pregnant Women and Children

Pregnant Women
Up until now, the Health Unit has been recommending the adjuvanted vaccine for pregnant women with underlying medical conditions and those who are in the second half of pregnancy (more than 20 weeks). This was being recommended so that protection was not delayed as influenza activity increased in Ontario. Now that the unadjuvanted vaccine is available, it is being recommended that all pregnant women (who have not yet been immunized) receive this alternative. The health unit expects to learn more soon. We will inform the public as soon as we know.

Dose Information for Children
Please note: additional clinics are being planned to ensure that all children who have been vaccinated with a first dose have the opportunity to receive their second dose at least 21 days later. Clinic dates will be announced soon (pending vaccine supply).



**According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, chronic conditions include:

• cardiac or pulmonary disorders (including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and asthma);


• diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases;


• cancer,


• immunodeficiency,


• immunosuppression (due to underlying disease and/or therapy);


• renal disease;


• anaemia or hemoglobinopathy;


• conditions that compromise the management of respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration; or


• children and adolescents with conditions treated for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid.

• General H1N1 Information (PDF)



• Your H1N1 Preparedness Guide (PDF)



• Caring for a Sick Person with Influenza at Home (PDF)



• What to do if you think you have influenza (self-assessment tool)



• H1N1 Flu Virus Information for Pregnant Women (PDF)

• H1N1 Flu Shot Fact Sheet



• Unadjuvanted H1N1-2009 Influenza Vaccine Fact Sheet for Pregnant Women (PDF)

• How to Stay Healthy and Prevent the Spread of Illness (PDF)



• “Seven Simple Steps to Keep You and Me Healthy” (PDF) Poster



• How to Handwash (PDF)

• Information for Parents



• Information for Workplaces



• Information for Educators



• Information for Health Professionals

• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care



• Public Health Agency of Canada. Toll-free information number: 1-800-454-8302.



• Canadian Food Inspection Agency



• Public Health Agency of Canada Travel Notices



• World Health Organization

No Information At This Time

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