H1N1 Priority Groups Expanded   |
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November 13, 2009
H1N1 Priority Groups Expanded
Region of Waterloo Public Health today announced that effective immediately, H1N1 high risk priority groups have been expanded.
“In Waterloo Region we can now offer the H1N1 vaccine to children from six months to 18 years of age (inclusive). As well, we’ve expanded the groups to include those over the age of 64 who suffer from chronic medical conditions,” says Dr. Liana Nolan, Medical Officer of Health for Waterloo Region. “We’d like to encourage people who now are eligible to be vaccinated to contact their family physician, or to attend one of our Public Health community clinics to receive their immunization.”
The next two Public Health H1N1 clinics will be held:
- November 13 – Huron Heights Secondary School – 1825 Strasburg Rd., Kitchener – 2-8 p.m.
- November 16 – City of Kitchener (Rotunda) – 200 King St. W., Kitchener – 2-8 p.m.
People will be required to verify that they are in a high priority group before receiving the vaccine. Priority groups include:
- All children 6 months to under 19 years of age
- Persons 19 years of age and older (including seniors) with chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, cancer, heart conditions, etc.)
- Healthcare workers, including first responders EMS, fire and police
- Pregnant women
- Household contacts and care providers of persons at higher risk who cannot be immunized (e.g. children under 6 months of age) or who may not respond to vaccines (e.g. those who are immune-compromised)
The public are asked to call the health unit’s automated clinic phone line at 519-883-2324 for upcoming clinic dates. For general information about H1N1, the public can call 519-883-2289 or visit the Waterloo Region Pandemic website at www.waterlooregionpandemic.ca. Unadjuvanted vaccine, exclusively for pregnant women, is now available. Pregnant women are asked to call their physician or the health unit at 519-883-2272, to make an appointment to receive the vaccine.
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Media contact: Lu-Ann Procter, Coordinator, Marketing and Communications, 519-883-2244
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