"The number of people in these new eligible groups is significantly greater than the amount of vaccine we currently have in B.C., so not everyone will be able to get immunized in the next week," -- Dr. Perry Kendall, B. C.'s public health officer announcing that while the eligibility list for H1N1 shots has been expanded, the availability of supply could be an issue for the next week.
Children aged 5 to 18, those over 65 with chronic health conditions and First Responders have been added to the eligibility list of those that will be allowed access to the H1N1 vaccine at upcoming clinics in British Columbia.
However, as has been the case during the initial roll out of the vaccine program, supply may come up short to demand.
B.C.'s public health officer Dr. Perry Kendall advised those British Columbians on the expanded eligibility list to call ahead to their public health clinic or doctor's office to confirm the vaccine is available. Dr. Kendall advised over the weekend that "The number of people in these new eligible groups is significantly greater than the amount of vaccine we currently have in B.C., so not everyone will be able to get immunized in the next week."
Adding to the ongoing confusion and frustration over the Canada wide roll out plan, is the disturbing news from other provinces of portions of the H1N1 vaccine going to waste as they reach an expiry date unused and have to be discarded. A situation that will surely raise the ire of Canadians who may have spent a fair amount of time in a line up over the last few weeks only to be told that there was no vaccine available.
As for the Northwest, the next round of clinics get underway this week, the first of which as of today will take place on Thursday. November 19 at the Prince Rupert Health Unit from 10 - 6pm, Friday's clinic will take place at the same location from 10 am to 4 pm.
For more information on the Prince Rupert clinics you can check the Northern Health website regularly for more updates during the week.
Vancouver Sun-- Authorities expand H1N1 vaccine clinics to include more children, first responders
Opinion 250-- Northern Health Expands Coverage Of H1n1
CBC News-- B.C. expands flu vaccine eligibility
Children aged 5 to 18, those over 65 with chronic health conditions and First Responders have been added to the eligibility list of those that will be allowed access to the H1N1 vaccine at upcoming clinics in British Columbia.
However, as has been the case during the initial roll out of the vaccine program, supply may come up short to demand.
B.C.'s public health officer Dr. Perry Kendall advised those British Columbians on the expanded eligibility list to call ahead to their public health clinic or doctor's office to confirm the vaccine is available. Dr. Kendall advised over the weekend that "The number of people in these new eligible groups is significantly greater than the amount of vaccine we currently have in B.C., so not everyone will be able to get immunized in the next week."
Adding to the ongoing confusion and frustration over the Canada wide roll out plan, is the disturbing news from other provinces of portions of the H1N1 vaccine going to waste as they reach an expiry date unused and have to be discarded. A situation that will surely raise the ire of Canadians who may have spent a fair amount of time in a line up over the last few weeks only to be told that there was no vaccine available.
As for the Northwest, the next round of clinics get underway this week, the first of which as of today will take place on Thursday. November 19 at the Prince Rupert Health Unit from 10 - 6pm, Friday's clinic will take place at the same location from 10 am to 4 pm.
For more information on the Prince Rupert clinics you can check the Northern Health website regularly for more updates during the week.
Vancouver Sun-- Authorities expand H1N1 vaccine clinics to include more children, first responders
Opinion 250-- Northern Health Expands Coverage Of H1n1
CBC News-- B.C. expands flu vaccine eligibility
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