Who is at risk?

The groups most at risk of complications from the H1N1 flu virus (those who would benefit most from immunization and/or those who care for them) include:

• People under 65 with chronic conditions
• Pregnant women (click for more information)
• Healthy children 6 months up to 5 years of age
• Persons residing in remote and isolated settings or communities
• Health care workers involved in pandemic response or the delivery of essential health care services
• Household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines. These include:
  • Infants less than six months of age
  • Persons who are immunocompromised
• Populations otherwise identified at high risk (including those identified by Provinces and Territories)

Others who would benefit from H1N1 immunization include:

• Healthy children 5 to 18 years of age
• First responders (fire, police, ambulance workers)
• Swine and poultry workers
• Healthy Adults between 19 and up to 64 years of age (this age group is at increased risk for severe H1N1 disease)
• Adults over 65 years of age and over

What are the reasons that these groups would "benefit most" from H1N1 flu vaccinations?

• Pregnant women are at highest risk of severe disease and to potentially protect their infants. Click here for more information.
• People under 65 with chronic conditions are at higher risk of complications due to infection with H1N1.
• Healthy children 6 months up to 5 years of age:
  • Healthy children 6 to 23 months of age are at particular risk of severe disease and hospitalization. 
  • Healthy children aged 2 and up to 5 years of age are at higher risk of severe disease and hospitalization than older children.  
• Persons residing in remote and isolated settings or communities have limited access to medical care, therefore getting a flu shot to help prevent illness in isolated communities would be a benefit to these communities.
• Health care workers because they come into contact with people who may be ill with the flu and they are often in contact with people who are vulnerable for getting the flu, it's important that they are protected against the flu. Also, they are a vital part of our health care system, so it's important they are healthy and able to provide care.
• Household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized (e.g. children under 6 months of age) or who may not respond to vaccines (e.g. immunocompromised), should be immunized to protect those they are caring for from getting the flu.
• Populations otherwise identified at high risk (including those identified by Provinces and Territories) because, based on local conditions and disease spread, some areas may choose to identify certain populations as priority for getting the H1N1 flu shot 

What is are the reasons for for ranking “other” targets to receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine in later sequences?

• Healthy children 5 up to 18 years of age: highest attack rates/source of transmission
• First responders (e.g. police and firefighters): frequently attend emergency health situations with emergency medical services
• Swine and poultry workers: to reduce risk of co-infection of these individuals with H1N1 and other influenza strains; co-infection can result in the exchange of genetic material and result in emergency of new flu strains.
• Healthy Adults between 19 and up to 64 years of age: increased risk of severe H1N1 disease (greater than for 65+)
• Adults 65 years of age and over: low attack rates, potential for reduced response to vaccine