Kids don’t need second swine flu shot, health officials say

Nunavut health officials announced Friday that children aged six months to 9 years won’t need a second shot of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

When Nunavut rolled out the vaccine during territory-wide flu shot clinics last November, there was speculation that younger kids might need a second half-dose in several weeks in order to ensure immunity from the bug.

But in a news release Friday, the office of chief medical health officer Isaac Sobol said studies have been showing high levels of flu antibodies in children after a single half-dose of the vaccine.

Last November, a two-week vaccination blitz saw more than 60 per cent of Nunavummiut get the H1N1 flu shot. This week, health officials renewed calls for any Nunavummiut who haven’t done so to get the flu shot.

The vaccine is available at health centres in every community, and in the capital at Iqaluit Public Health.