Police and firefighters not priority
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: November 05, 2009 11:41 AM
Members of the Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service and police will not be getting priority when it comes to the H1N1 vaccines.
Deputy Fire Chief Ron Hull said firefighters will likely be getting the shots at the same time as other members of the public.
Fraser Health is dealing with a limited supply of the vaccine and has set aside available doses for those deemed to be at high risk, said Hull.
The fire department originally planned to organize an in-house flu vaccination clinic as it has in years past, but that has been put on hold. It’s not clear when firefighters will be able get their shots, said Hull.
The B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Association is also are pressing the health authorities to ensure front line health care workers, such as firefighters, are among the first to get the vaccine.
Abbotsford Police members are also waiting for shots, said Const. Ian MacDonald.
Providing first responders with the vaccine before the general public is a good idea, but not at the expense of those considered to be at high risk from the virus, said MacDonald.
“Consideration has to be given to essential services, but given the shortages, it makes sense it’s going to those that are particularly vulnerable.”
v2
