The latest on the H1N1 vaccination clinics

NEWS RELEASE

ALGOMA PUBLIC HEALTH

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The flu line will continue to book appointments only for the following groups into high risk clinics we have in place throughout our district offices.

Uncertainty about the timing and quantity of H1N1 vaccine supply to Algoma Public Health (APH) over the next few weeks has forced us to stop booking appointments for the general population through the flu line.

We cannot book clinics we do not know we will have vaccine for.

We may have to postpone clinics booked in mid-November, clinics which were open to the general population after the initial clinics were sequenced toward higher risk groups.

High risk groups that are encouraged to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine are:

People under 65 with significant chronic conditions including: 

- chronic lung disease including asthma

- heart disease

- diabetes

- cancer

- compromised immunity

- kidney disease

- anemia

-morbid obesity

- children less than 18 on long-term aspirin therapy

- conditions that compromise the management of respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration, such as neurologic conditions or cognitive disorders

- pregnant women

- children 6 months to under five years of age

- health care workers and

- household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk (including infants less than 6 months) who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines.

APH is concentrating on delivering vaccine to the elementary and high school students in Algoma during November.

When we have additional vaccine we will resume delivery of vaccine to the rest of the general population.

Algoma has been fortunate that we have been able to offer the H1N1 vaccine to those at highest risk from October 26 to mid-November.

We are the first jurisdiction in Ontario to begin delivery of vaccine to healthy children and youth in elementary and high schools.

For more information on H1N1, please click here.

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