2010 athletes, spectators urged to get H1N1 shots
2009-10-28

Category Vaccines Nations Canada City Vancouver States British Columbia Category Regions Regions North America Pacific Rim Event 2009 Swine Flu Source (Reuters)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuters) - Athletes and spectators will be encouraged to get vaccinated against the H1N1 flu before traveling to next year's Winter Olympics in Vancouver, an official said on Wednesday.

The hundreds of volunteers and staff scheduled to work during the February Games are also being urged to get vaccinated as part of Canada's national immunization effort, which began this week.

An estimated 5,500 athletes and team officials are scheduled to be in Vancouver next year for the 17 days of competitions and they will be joined by thousands of media and spectators from around the world.

Health and Olympic officials are preparing instructions for athletes and visitors on how to deal with the pandemic strain of the flu, according to Dr. Jack Taunton, chief medical officer of the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC).

"We would certainly encouraging all travelers coming to the Games in Vancouver to get H1N1 vaccinations as soon as it is available, but particularly 14 days in advance of coming here," Taunton said.

The 14 days time span ensures the vaccine's protections against the virus are fully active in the body.

Vaccinations are not mandatory in Canada, but Taunton was scheduled to get his own shot on Wednesday. Ottawa plans to have enough vaccine to allow all of Canada's more than 33 million people to each get a flu shot.

At least one, unnamed, Olympic team has said its athletes will not be able to obtain vaccines in advance of the Games so steps are being made to make shots available for them after they arrive, Taunton said.

Vaccine manufacturers have also assured organizers that the treatments will not cause athletes to fail any Olympic drug tests, he said.

Canada's will also experience its normal seasonal flu during the winter so athletes and visitors should also look at getting vaccinated against that regular flu virus, according to Taunton.

The H1N1 strain, also called swine flu, is already causing concern across Canada's athletic communities.

The Greater Toronto Hockey League, the largest amateur minor hockey league in the world, has urged teams to take special precautions against spreading the virus, following the sudden death of a 13-year-old player on Monday.

Health Canada also said on Wednesday it was preparing guideline for Canadian travelers to help reduce the virus's spread, and said it was encouraging travel companies to make it easier for people who feel ill to postpone any trips.

Organizers of the Vancouver Olympics have seen one positive benefit from public concern about the flu. They reached a sponsorship deal this summer with ALDA Pharmaceuticals Corp, which produces hand sanitizers.

Medical officials say hand washing is a critical component in efforts to stop the flu's spread.

(Reporting by Allan Dowd; editing by Rob Wilson)