New H1N1 Dosing Recommendation for Children

Children ages six months to nine years who have already received a dose of H1N1 vaccine do not need a second dose during the 2009-10 influenza season.

The new recommendation comes from the National Pandemic Vaccine Working Group.

"The announcement is based on the low rate of H1N1 activity across the country and the expectation that the activity will not increase this spring," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's Chief Public Health Officer. "That being said, I still encourage people who have not yet been immunized to get their H1N1 vaccine."

H1N1 vaccine can still be given to children if requested but only a single half dose is required. This includes all children age 6 months to 9 years regardless of their medical history.

H1N1 activity remains low in Nova Scotia with only two lab-confirmed cases since the beginning of 2010. There have been 752 lab-confirmed cases of H1N1 to date for the 2009-10 influenza season.

The province publishes a report on respiratory illnesses, including H1N1, every Wednesday. It can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/h1n1/flu-activity.asp .