Vaccine2

A timeline mapping the H1N1 virus

  • First outbreak

    An outbreak of flu-like symptoms is reported in Veracruz, Mexico.
  • Virus travels to America

    In Imperial County, California, a 9-year-old girl is taken to a clinic that was a part of an influenza surveillance project. Swab samples were sent to a lab. They could not identify the virus. They sent it to the Naval Health Research Centre in San Diego. Results confluded it was an unidentifiable influenza virus.
  • Second American case

    In San Diego County, a 10-year old boy with asthma was treated for influenza–like symptoms. A swab was sent to a lab.
  • H1N1 confirmed

    The centre for Disease control said the Mexico and California virus are the same strain of the H1N1 virus.
  • Outbreak in B.C.

    Two cases of swine flu are confirmed in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
  • Travel warning

    The Public Health Agency of Canada issued a travel health warning for Canadians to postpone travel to Mexico.
  • WHO responded

    The World Health Organization raised the pandemic level to Phase 4.
  • National health planned announced

    Leona Aglukkaq,Canada's Minister of Health, and Dr. David Butler-Jones, Chief Public Health Officer, held a news conference. They said Alberta had confirmed two cases of swine flu and that "We are following our national plan and working to reduce the effects of a possible pandemic through a variety of measures."
  • Vernon closes school

    Bearisto Elementary School in Vernon B.C. announced it will close the school for a week after a student was diagnosed with H1N1.
  • Mexico City shutdown

    Mexican City Government closed schools and businesses for a week to try and stop the spread of the virus.
  • Vaccine wait

    The World Health Organization said it would take longer than expected to approve and distribute a vaccine for the H1N1 virus.
  • A pandemic

    The World Health Organization declares the H1N1 virus a world-wide pandemic.
  • Canada places vaccine order

    Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced the Canadian government was to be placing an order for 50.4-million doses of the H1N1 vaccine. The deal was a $400-million dollar contract with GlaxoSmithKline’s factory in Quebec.
  • Body bags

    The government sent body bags to Manitoba reserves as part of a flu pandemic emergency package.
  • Vaccine approval

    Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced Health Canada had approved the H1N1 vaccine.
  • First vaccinations begin

    H1N1 vaccination program in Canada begins for high-risk groups.
  • Vaccine for pregnant women

    GlaxoSmithKline finished producing a special adjuvant-freeversion of the vaccine for pregnant women.
  • Shot becomes available to everyone

    Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews announced the H1N1 vaccine would be available to everyone in clinics across the GTA.