Seasonal flu shots will not be available to the majority of British Columbians until 2010, according to an announcement by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

The centre confirmed Monday morning that flu vaccines will be available on October 13 -- but that they will be limited to people aged 65 and older and to residents of long-term care homes.

The decision is due in part to concerns raised by an unpublished study suggesting people who got a seasonal shot last year were more likely to catch swine flu this year.

"I think it's a very responsible action on their part," Dr. Imtiaz Hassam said Monday. "We're taking precautions."

Other factors include the possibility of an early-fall second wave of H1N1 and the timing of H1N1 vaccine availability.

"What we're really focusing on now is the vaccination for H1N1," Hassam said. "The seasonal flu is probably going to have a lower prevalence this year, and so we can postpone that vaccine until a later date."

When the H1N1 vaccine becomes available in November, the seasonal flu program will be stopped in order to focus on administering swine flu vaccinations. The seasonal flu program will then resume in 2010.

Hassam says in the meantime, concerned parents can minimize the likelihood of childhood illness by following a few simple steps:

  • Ensure your children are washing their hands regularly
  • Remind children to cough and sneeze into their elbows or sleeves
  • Keep children at home if they are sick

Ontario, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Nova Scotia are taking similar approaches to flu vaccine delivery this fall.

More information on the seasonal flu vaccine can be found online at Immunize B.C. Information on the H1N1 flu virus can be found at the B.C. government website.

With files from The Canadian Press