B.C. health officials urged the public Thursday to be patient and to wait for further advisories a day after word got out about an unpublished study that raised questions about the seasonal flu vaccine.
"You should know the unpublished report ... has not yet been peer reviewed and I think that's important to recognize," said B.C. Health Minister Kevin Falcon.
The unpublished study is based on research ongoing in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, and suggests that people who received seasonal flu shots last year may be at greater risk of catching H1N1 flu this year.
The study is still undergoing an independent, peer-review in an unnamed journal.
Researchers behind the study have asked that the expert review be fast-tracked before vaccination programs start later this year.
B.C. has not decided when its vaccination campaign will begin.
"There's a lot of logistics involved in potentially running two or even three influenza programs on top of each other with different vaccines, different target groups," said Dr. Perry Kendall, the provincial health officer.
Ontario, however, unveiled its strategy today. Vaccinations will be available for vulnerable groups starting next month. Flu shots for everyone else won't be available until after H1N1 vaccinations become available in November.
"Is it typical that we adjust our program? No it isn't typical but we are not dealing with a typical flu season this year," said Dr. Arlene King, Ontario's chief medical officer of health.
King said the unpublished study was a factor in the decision to change the sequence of vaccinations.
Until B.C.'s plans are clear, people are being asked to continue taking precautions including hand washing and staying home if they're sick.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Maria Weisgarber and files from The Canadian Press.
