Public Health requests healthy individuals step aside so those at higher risk for complications from the H1N1 flu virus get immunized at Public Health’s first clinics October 31   |
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October 30, 2009
Public Health requests healthy individuals step aside so those at higher risk for complications from the H1N1 flu virus
get immunized at Public Health’s first clinics October 31
Starting next week, Public Health will also provide vaccine to pregnant women via appointment.
Last evening, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced there will be temporary delays in the production and distribution of the H1N1 flu virus vaccine. Based on this new information the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Region of Waterloo Public Health are asking healthy Ontarians to step aside so those at higher risk for complications from the H1N1 pandemic flu virus get their shots first.
“We’re kindly requesting that only those individuals at greater risk for complications from the H1N1 flu virus, particularly those without a doctor or whose doctor is not administering the H1N1 vaccine, attend Public Health’s immunization clinics on October 31st” said Karen Quigley-Hobbs, Director of Communicable Disease, Dental and Sexuality Resources. “This will allow us to reduce the burden of severe illness in the community.”
Individuals at greater risk for complications are also reminded that over 75% of primary care providers (doctors) in Waterloo Region are immunizing their clients with the H1N1 flu vaccine. Physician offices that requested doses of this vaccine received their shipments earlier this week and most are now offering it to their priority target clients.
Priority targets for immunization were defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Ministry of Health and Long-Term care based on individuals at highest risk for complications from the H1N1 flu virus. These targets include:
- People 65 and under with chronic conditions (e.g. heart and lung disease, diabetes, cancer, etc.)
- Children 6 months to under five years of age;
- People living in remote or isolated communities;
- Pregnant women; and
- Household contacts and care providers of persons at higher risk who cannot be immunized (e.g. children under 6 months) or may not respond to vaccines (e.g. those who are immune-compromised)
In addition to the public clinics, starting next week, Region of Waterloo Public Health will also provide vaccine for pregnant women, especially those without a doctor or whose doctor is not administering the H1N1 vaccine, by appointment. Please call 519-883-2272 to make an appointment.
Note: While approval of the unadjuvanted vaccine has been announced by the Public Health Agency of Canada, it does not have the vaccine to ship to us at this time. Public Health will announce when it receives a shipment of that vaccine.
Over the next few weeks, all Ontarians will have the opportunity to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine. Public Health has scheduled a series of H1N1 vaccine clinics throughout November and December. Updated clinic lists will continue to be announced on Thursdays with details of the following week’s clinics. Please refer to Waterloo Region’s pandemic website (www.waterlooregionpandemic.ca) and the Region of Waterloo website (www.region.waterloo.on.ca) for the most up-to-date information. Those without internet access are invited to phone 519-883-2289 for clinic times and general H1N1 information.
Immunization clinics for October 31
Vaccine | Date | Location and Time | Individuals who can be immunized |
H1N1
flu virus | Saturday,
October 31 | Huron Heights Secondary School
1825 Strasburg Road, Kitchener
9-4 p.m. | Priority targets |
H1N1
flu virus | Saturday,
October 31 | Region of Waterloo Public Health
(Cambridge Office)
150 Main Street, Cambridge
Board Room
9-4 p.m. | Priority targets |
* Individuals under 6 months are not eligible for immunization.
Individuals are kindly asked to bring their drivers license and health card to improve the efficiency of the registration process. Individuals without a license or health card will not be refused service.
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Media contact: Lu-Ann Procter, Coordinator, Marketing and Communications, 519-883-2244.
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