High risk groups still the focus of H1N1 flu clinics
Posted 16 days ago
SIMCOE MUSKOKA – Public H1N1 flu clinics continue to offer vaccine exclusively to the six high risk groups, the health unit says.
"In our first two days of clinics we were able to vaccinate more than 7,000 people in those groups, and we are pleased the public has responded so positively," says Medical Officer of Health Dr. Charles Gardner. However, the high risk population makes up about 25 per cent of the local population and it will take time to reach them all. In addition, recent shortages in supply also mean the vaccine must be provided solely to those at highest risk.
For those who continue to have questions about H1N1 flu and the vaccine the Health Connection information service (721-7520 and 1-877-721-7520) will remain open this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Those who currently qualify for the vaccine are as follows.
· People with chronic medical conditions under the age of 65
· Healthy children from six months to five years old
· Household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines (including those caring for infants 0 to 6 months old)
· Health care workers involved in pandemic response or who deliver essential services. This includes firefighters who provide, as a regular part of their work, emergency health service functions within their community
· People living in remote communities
· Pregnant women
A number of chronic medical conditions such as cardiac or pulmonary disorders; diabetes; cancer; immunodeficiency or immunosuppression due to underlying disease or therapy; renal disease; and anemia could increase the risk of complications from H1N1 flu.
"We hope to be able to open the vaccine to the general public in the near future, as supply of the vaccine increases and after priority groups who want the vaccine have received it," Dr. Gardner says.
A full schedule of the public vaccine clinics is available on the health unit's website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org, or by calling Your Health Connection at 721-7520, or 1-877-721-7520 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The vaccine is also available through physicians participating in the vaccine campaign.
