Flu clinics at 100 Mile House saw 916 people receive their H1N1 vaccinations.

Anne Clarotto, Interior Health’s Public Health Prevention Services director, says 15 staff members worked on Oct. 29-30, including nurses who provided the flu shots and administrative support staff who helped with triaging and monitoring individuals in the one- to two-hour lineups.

Staff also ensured those in line were aware the clinics were targeted for high-priority groups and further clinics would follow for the rest of the population. Some individuals, who were not in the high-priority groups, were told to come back for a future clinic.

Clarotto says a number of people travelled to these first clinics from Clinton and Williams Lake, and if they were within the high-priority groups, they received

a vaccination.

Some staff members are being redeployed to handle the largest immunization program undertaken in Canada, Clarotto says, adding it’s five times the usual number of vaccinations for seasonal flu in the same timeframe.

Some public health services which are less urgent will be temporarily suspended or deferred to allow staff to concentrate on the flu clinics, but Clarotto urges anyone with issues or problems should call the health centre.

Temporarily suspended services include routine adult immunizations and tuberculin testing.

She says everyone should get flu shots after those with priority are served first.

H1N1 vaccinations last week and this week are for pregnant women; adults under 65 with underlying medical conditions; children between six months and 59 months and their household contacts; care providers or household contacts of infants under six months and people who are immunocompromised; people living in rural and remote communities, including all aboriginal populations; and healthcare workers involved in responding to pandemic influenza.

School District 27 Trustee Pattie Baker says she was disappointed teachers and other school staff were not included in the priority list.

Darrell Blades, 100 Mile House Fire-Rescue chief, notes when firefighters respond to a potential H1N1 patient, they will implement an operational policy in line with provincial recommendations.

He adds firefighters work with BC Ambulance Services staff and, depending on their involvement with the patient, ensure they wear the appropriate personal protective equipment and follow appropriate decontamination procedures for personal and fire department equipment.