H1N1 immunizations in Grand Falls - Windsor Central Health revises immunization schedule giving priority to high risk groups JANINE DAVIDGE Advertiser

Crowds of people who fit the high risk criteria line up outside the Beaumont Hamel Armoury in Grand Falls - Windsor Friday to receive vaccinations against the H1N1 flu virus.

High-risk members of the general public are receiving vaccinations to prevent the H1N1 virus today, Oct. 30. Vaccinations begin at 1 p.m. and will continue until 6:30 p.m. at the Beaumont Hamel Armoury on 1A Memorial Avenue Grand Falls – Windsor. Vaccinations will continue tomorrow at the same site, beginning at 9.:30 a.m. - 6:30. "It depends on the amunt of traffic today and the amount of vaccine we have left for tomorrow." said Vice President of
Professional Standards and Chief Nursing Officer Trudy Stuckless. There are 1,400 vaccines being utilized today, she said.

Central health revised its schedule for vaccination clinics for the second time yesterday, after the province’s Health Minister Jerome Kennedy announced it was bumping up efforts to inoculate high risk groups.

Those being targeted include people at highest risk of experiencing complications with the pandemic flu including: Individuals under 65 with chronic health conditions like respiratory illnesses like ashthma, Chronic Obstructive Pummonary Disorder and diabetes. Individuals living in remote and isolated settings or communities are also being given priority as well as children six months to five years of age, health care workers involved in pandemic response or delivery of essential care services, pregnant women and household contacts and caregivers of people at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond, and any others identified as high risk. Because children up to six months are not recommended for immunization, parents of children up to six months can recieve the vaccine. Children who fit into the high-risk category are encouraged to attend the clinics with a parent or guardian.

In Gander today and tomorrow the vaccine will be made available from 1pm. today to 6:30 pm at the Pentecostal church on 39 Elizabeth Drive. Today and tomorrow in Lewisporte vaccinations will be made available from 1pm.-6:30 p.m. at the Pentecostal Church on 362 Main Street. In Conne River today, tomorrow and Sunday there is a clinic at St. Anne’s all Grade School on Main Street. In Springdale tomorrow and Sunday a clinic at the Indian River High School on Grant Avenue. In New-Wes-Valley tomorrow and Sunday there is a clinic at Memorial Academy in Wesleyville. In Harbour Breton there is a clinic tomorrow at the LOL lodge. Sunday there is a clinic in St. Alban’s at the Royal Canadian Legion. Monday there will be a clinic in Rencontre at the Parish Hall. Tuesday in Gaultois there will be a clinic at the Lions Club. Tuesday in Buchans there will be a clinic at Lakeside Academy. In McCallum Wednesday there will be a clinic at the Community Centre. Clinics scheduled for the Nov. 9-13, including clinics for the areas of Fogo Island, St. Brendan’s, Change Islands, Baie Verte, Botwood, Twillingate and Glovertown will be moved ahead to an earlier time, expected to be released by Saturday.  

A plan is expected to be in place by the early this week to vaccinate children in schools around the province. Parents were sent home today with letters and consent forms for parents to sign for them to recieve the vaccine in the school setting when it is offered.      

Central Health’s director of public health Dr. Bev.White said yesterday the province has enough vaccine to vaccinate 6,000 people a week for a total of 12,000 in the next two weeks.

Health Minister Jerome Kennedy said the next shipment of vaccine is expected to come in on Wednesday. In the meantime, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Faith Stratton, said yesterday during a news conference that healthy adults should wait until after children to receive the vaccine, saying the 86,000 doses received by the province so far are not enough to do everybody.

Central Health has established a toll free number for questions relating to the Pandemic influenze virus. It is 1-877-311-2613.