H1N1 local vaccination program to start here Nov. 2
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Updated: October 23, 2009 9:45 AM
Clinics to dispense the vaccine for the H1N1 flu virus will start throughout the Interior Health Authority region Nov. 2.
Dr. Andrew Larder, senior medical health officer for the IHA, told the media Thursday that IH has already received its first shipment of the vaccine, a week earlier than anticipated.
“i’m really, really happy we got the vaccine earlier than we expected and I encourage everyone to go out and get it,” he said.
Larder said to start, the vaccine will be offered to those who are deemed to be at highest risk—pregnant women, especially those in the second half of their pregnancies, anyone younger than 65 with chronic illness and people living in rural and remote areas, including First Nations communities.
He said starting children aged six months to five years old, health care workers and caregivers looking after babies younger than six months old will be added to the list of those encouraged to get the vaccine first.
By mid-November, after the priority groups have had an opportunity to get immunized, there will be many clinics open and anyone who wants an H1N1 vaccine shot can get it for free. Everyone is being encouraged to get one.
The vaccination, part of the largest immunization project in Canadian history, is expected to result in 600,000 doses provided in the IH area, as opposed to 175,000 does of the season flu vaccine given out each year here.
Larder said in the last five weeks, Interior Health officials here have seen a large increase in the number of H1N1 cases.
“All the indications are we are in a period of rapidly rising H1N1 infections,” he said.
Interior Health, like the other health authorities in B.C. are receiving smaller, but more frequent shipments of the vaccine, said Larder and, as a result, once the clinics are up and running, anyone who wants an immunization shot will be able to get it for free.
This week, IH started its seasonal flu vaccine clinics for seniors and Larder said anyone eligible for a seasonal flu shot will be able to get one at the same time as they get an H1N1 vaccine shot.
While the majority of clinics will be ready to go at the beginning of November, three communities, Vernon, Creston and 100-mile House will have H1N1 clinics up and ready Oct. 29.
For details about the location and times of clinics throughout the Okanagan, go to www.interiorhealth.ca, www.immunizebc.ca, phone the provincial Healthlink B.C. number at 811 or contact the local public health centre whose phone number is in the blue pages of the telephone book.
“H1N1 is by far the most predominant flu circulating this fall,” said Larder. “Getting your flu shot will help protect you and those around you. In addition, we also continue to encourage everyone to practice safe hygiene—cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands frequently and stay home if you are sick.”
waters@kelownacapnews.com.
