Thursday, November 05, 2009
H1N1 Vaccine Update
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit will not be holding any community clinics the week of Nov 9-13th. As more information is received from the Ministry of Health about quantity and date of arrival of vaccine, more clinic information will be announced.
Vaccine has been sent in lots of 100 doses to a large number of physicians who have agreed to be involved in immunizing the first priority groups. Some physicians are offering clinics for their patients only and have asked us to advertise their clinic on our website.
Residents, who are in the high priority groups, can contact their health care provider to see if they are participating in the program. Having doctors vaccinate their patients will help increase accessibility and allow more priority residents to be vaccinated.
The unadjuvanted vaccine is now available for pregnant women only. Clinics will be held in Brockville at the Brockville General Hospital on Nov.6th from 1-5pm; in Smiths Falls at the Perth Smiths Falls District Hospital on Nov. 10th from 8:30am – 8:30pm and in Almonte at the Old Fairview Manor on Nov. 9th from 1-4pm.
Currently, the Public Health Agency of Canada recommends that children from six months to nine years old receive two half-doses of the H1N1 adjuvanted vaccine administered at least 21 days apart. The manufacturer has recommended two half doses for this age group based on the results of clinical trials studying children’s response to this and other similar vaccines such as the seasonal flu vaccine. These trials show that children do not respond to the vaccine as well as adults and require 2 doses to get full protection. To date, the Health Unit has vaccinated over 10,000 people.
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit reminds everyone of all the ways to prevent the spread of influenza: Clean your hands, Cough or sneeze in your sleeve, Disinfect hard surfaces, Stay home when ill, Get vaccinated.
For further information about Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, please contact:
- The Health Unit website: www.healthunit.org
- The Public Health Agency of Canada: www.fightflu.ca
- The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care: www.health.gov.on.ca/en/flu
- The World Health Organization: www.who.int/en
- Or call the Health ACTION Line at 1-800-660-5853 or 613-345-5685
Contact:
Susan Healey, BA, Communications Co-ordinator, 613-345-5685 or 613-802-0550
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