Health officials are once again urging Quebecers, especially pregnant women, to get vaccinated against the swine flu amid word that only half of expectant mothers have received their shots.
Authorities say pregnant women are at higher risk of getting swine flu and its resulting complications. But some have had fears about whether to take a vaccine with or without an additive called adjuvant.
Adjuvants boost the immune system's response to a vaccine and have been found to help some people better respond to a shot.
But the adjuvant has not been tested thoroughly on pregnant woman and young children, prompting health officials to order adjuvant-free vaccines as an alternative.
Confusion
There has been confusion among pregnant woman about which vaccine to take. Some even received contradictory advice from doctors.
Regional disparity
Higher percentages of women have been vaccinated for swine flu outside Montreal compared with on the island metropolis.
Dr. Richard Lessard; director of Montreal's public health department, told a news conference Tuesday that the latest push targets Montreal women, including ethnic groups downtown.
"The area of Montreal which has the lowest vaccination is Park Extension," he said, referring to the ethnically-diverse neighbourhood north of downtown.
"You have probably been around Park Extension like everybody else, and you see that the message will be more difficult to pass along, mostly because of the language issue."
Dr. Lessard plans to spread his message on Arab and Italian community radio stations, aided by simultaneous translation.
