Plenty of vaccine in Agassiz Harrison

There is more than enough H1N1 vaccine to go around in this community, says the local public health nurse.

Robert Stam says the area has been given enough to vaccinate the whole population of Agassiz and Harrison.

This week the focus is on the highest risk patients. That includes people under 65 years of age with chronic health conditions, and pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy.

Fraser Health is also working Aboriginal communities and community organizations that serve the homeless to provide the vaccine.

Next week, the vaccinations will be available to a second set of high risk people. That will include children six months to less than five years of age, health care workers and emergency first responders (police, fire, ambulance), household contacts and care providers of infants less than six months of age and people who have weakened immune systems.

There are some local dates to be aware of if you are considering having the voluntary vaccine.

November 5 at the Friendship House in Agassiz, from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. will be open to the first and second set of risk groups.

November 12 at the Friendship House, from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. will be open to anyone who wants the vaccine.

Stam says more dates will be announced in the weeks to come, and anyone with questions is welcome to call the health unit at 604-793-7160.

The vaccine is free of charge.

Fraser Health says that despite some deaths, "most people in B.C. who have had the H1N1 flu virus have had mild or moderate illness and have recovered at home. The need for testing (swabbing) is determined by a doctor on a case-by-case basis, but is generally only needed for hospitalized patients. Patients who have only mild illness do not require testing."

+More News Headlines
<Back to Mobile Edition