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  • #16
    Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

    General public in B.C. to wait three more weeks before getting H1N1 shot


    <DL class=author><DD class="date published">Published on November 16th, 2009 </DD></DL>VICTORIA, B.C. - The general public in B.C. will have to wait up to three more weeks before being eligible for the H1N1 flu shot.

    Provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall says the second wave of the flu virus has peaked in B.C. and there may not be a third wave if enough people get immunized.

    Kendall says the virus appears to have levelled off everywhere but in the northern part of the province, where he expects it to follow suit in the next week or so.

    Starting this week, the vaccine program has been expanded to include healthy children, seniors with chronic conditions and health-care workers.

    Kendall says the province received 250,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine for use this week and another 258,000 doses will be available next week.

    He says some health-care resources have been diverted to deal with the H1N1 virus, including doctors being transferred to emergency departments from other hospital programs.

    ?

    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela

    Comment


    • #17
      Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

      All of B.C. eligible for H1N1 vaccine

      Last Updated: Thursday, November 19, 2009 | 2:12 PM PT

      CBC News


      Everyone in British Columbia will be eligible for the swine flu vaccine, starting Friday. (CBC)

      All British Columbians will be eligible for H1N1 flu shots starting Friday.

      "I want to encourage every British Columbian who has not yet been vaccinated to now go out and get their shot as soon as possible," Dr. Perry Kendall, the provincial health officer, said in a statement Thursday afternoon.

      "Unless we get more people immunized, there is still potential for B.C. to see as many hospitalizations and deaths in the coming weeks as we have seen to date."
      'It is only fair to open it up to the rest of the population.'? Dr. Perry Kendall, provincial health officer
      The province expected to receive an additional 258,000 doses of vaccine on Thursday and another 640,000 doses late next week, raising the total already delivered to B.C. to 1.16 million, Kendall said.

      "While we do not yet have enough vaccine to administer to everyone who is now eligible, given that our clinics are operating at less than full capacity, it is only fair to open it up to the rest of the population so that any and all British Columbians who want to be vaccinated can now do so," he said.

      "This may mean clinics run out of vaccine and are forced to close until additional supplies are obtained, but it is preferable to have vaccine in people's arms, rather than sitting in fridges."

      So far, at least 30 people in B.C. have died from the virus.

      "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
      -Nelson Mandela

      Comment


      • #18
        Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

        <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=760 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=389>


        </TD><TD class=darkGreyBg width=1></TD><TD width=184><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=184 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3></TD></TR><TR><TD width=10 rowSpan=2></TD><TD><!-- TemplateBeginEditable name="MainIndex" --><!-- TemplateEndEditable --></TD><TD rowSpan=2><!-- TemplateBeginEditable name="Help" --><!-- TemplateEndEditable --></TD></TR><TR><TD><!-- TemplateBeginEditable name="ContactUs" --><!-- TemplateEndEditable --></TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=3></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


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        <TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD>BC Flu Clinic Locator



        </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
        <FORM onkeypress=CaptureEnter()><TABLE><TBODY><TR class=body><TD>Thank you for visiting B.C.'s Influenza Vaccine Clinic Locator.

        Beginning Friday, November 20, all British Columbians who want to be immunized against the H1N1 flu virus are eligible to receive the vaccine.

        Not everyone will be able to be immunized immediately. Each region will need to gauge supply and demand, and there may be some differences in timing of vaccine availability because of these variables. People are encouraged to contact their local Public Health unit or family physician for more information on getting the vaccine.

        Posted H1N1 public health vaccine clinics are held based on vaccine availability. If you cannot find a clinic in your area, that does not mean the H1N1 vaccine is not available in your region. As clinic information is changing on a rapid basis, some locations - including physicians' offices - may be offering the H1N1 vaccine that are not yet indicated on the map.

        If you wish to receive the H1N1 vaccine, but are not able to attend any of the currently listed clinics in your area, contact your local Public Health Unit or your family physician for more information on where you can get vaccinated.

        British Columbians who receive the H1N1 vaccine, and for whom the seasonal flu shot is also recommended, will be able to receive both at the same time if it is offered in your area.

        Please see the H1N1 Questions and Answers for more information.

        </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></FORM>

        LINK FOR FLU CLINIC LOCATOR:

        "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
        -Nelson Mandela

        Comment


        • #19
          Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

          Flu vaccine is finally available to everyone

          Quintin Winks, Alberni Valley Times
          Published: Monday, November 23, 2009

          After a staggered release over several weeks, the H1N1 flu virus is now available to every British Columbia resident over six months old.

          The announcement was made Thursday by provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall, who also admitted that there aren't enough vaccinations to administer to everyone who is now eligible. At the same time, clinics are operating at less than capacity, and Kendall said it was only fair to open them up to everyone who is eligible.

          "This may mean clinics run out of vaccine and are forced to close until additional supplies are obtained, but it is preferable to have vaccine in people's arms, rather than sitting in fridges," Kendall said.

          B.C. expected to receive an additional 258,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine at the end of last week and a further 640,000 doses later this week, Kendall said.

          Regional health authorities will receive shipments of additional doses on a weekly basis. The vaccine will continue to be made available through public flu shot clinics and doctors offices.

          In total, 1.16 million doses of the vaccine have already been delivered to British Columbia.

          "We'd like to see as many people as possible at the three remaining November clinics that we have booked in Glenwood," said Clarice Perkins, a public health nurse with the Port Alberni Health Unit. "In December, the clinics move to a smaller site at the Gyro Youth Centre where we won't have quite the same capacity to immunize as many people at a time."

          Shots became available in the Alberni Valley in the middle of October.

          They were first announced for residents over 65 or people living in long-term care. That was later expanded to include people at risk of contacting the flu because of a compromised immune system.

          The schedule for remaining drop-in flu clinics continues on Wednesday at Glenwood Centre from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and again on Nov. 30 at Glenwood from 4 to 8 p.m.

          Dec. 3, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., marks the beginning of four clinics at the Gyro Youth Centre. The final H1N1 clinic will be in Echo Centre on Dec. 17, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

          The estimated time to get the shot, including possible waits, registration and time for the immunization is as much as 30 minutes. Health officials also recommend waiting 15 minutes after getting the shot in case of a very rare allergic reaction.


          "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
          -Nelson Mandela

          Comment


          • #20
            Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

            H1N1 flu vaccine demand levels of off

            By Tiffany Crawford, Vancouver Sun
            November 27, 2009

            Residents who still want to get their H1N1 flu vaccine ? but get a headache just thinking about waiting in an hour-long queue ? can relax.
            Health authorities are reporting no major lineups at most clinics.

            Anna Marie D'Angelo, a spokeswoman for Vancouver Coastal Health, said that since health authorities opened up the vaccine program to the general public last Friday, the line-ups at the authority?s clinics in Vancouver, the North Shore and Richmond have levelled off.

            When the clinics opened to everyone, some residents faced waits of up to an hour to get the jab.

            D?Angelo said part of the reason for shorter waits is that about 80 per cent of the people who received the H1N1 vaccine got it at a family doctor?s office instead of the clinics.

            In total, 25 per cent of the population in the Vancouver Coastal Health region has received the shot, she said.

            ?We are getting a good uptake of the vaccine. If you look at the regular seasonal flu, over the span of the season, we usually get about a 35 per cent uptake.?

            The authority is expecting another shipment of the vaccine next week and says there is enough for everyone.

            ?People should not be complacent because there is always the chance for a third wave [of the virus], and certainly if you have a shot you are not going to get the H1N1 flu.?

            Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall said the province is still operating on reduced supplies of the vaccine and that 25 per cent of British Columbians have been vaccinated.

            ?We?ve seen a good uptake,? he said on Friday. ?But we intend to push it even harder next week.?

            The Fraser Health Authority reported patients in that region were experiencing short waits in the morning at the H1N1 clinics, but that it was ?going smoothly.? The authority said there was no shortage of the vaccine for residents.

            The B.C. Centre for Disease Control said cases of H1N1 appear to be levelling off, with numbers of infected people declining for the third straight week.

            As of this week, 863 people in B.C. have been hospitalized with H1N1 since the pandemic started. Of those, about 64 per cent had an underlying health condition.

            Thirty-four people have died in B.C. from H1N1.

            Read latest breaking news, updates, and headlines. Vancouver Sun offers information on latest national and international events & more.
            "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
            -Nelson Mandela

            Comment


            • #21
              Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

              100,000 vaccine doses coming
              Health authority doesn't anticipate any more shortages

              By Walter Cordery, The Daily News
              November 30, 2009

              The Vancouver Island Health Authority expects another 100,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine to arrive Tuesday and doesn't anticipate any more shortages of the drug in the near future.

              VIHA spokesman Stephen May said on Sunday that Nanaimo and Parksville have enough vaccine to tide them over today and Tuesday until the latest shipment of the vaccine can be distributed on the Island.

              "We did have some problems on the weekend in Duncan and we thought we might," said May. "We sent out a media advisory on Friday that we may have to postpone H1N1 vaccination clinics Saturday and Monday in Duncan due to a temporary vaccine shortage."

              VIHA's H1N1 vaccination doses are delivered to the health authority once a week. Last week, with criteria for the shot expanded to include everyone, the demand was greater than the supply, May said.

              "We have 100,000 doses coming this week and that will get distributed to the communities so the clinics for Wednesday are fine," he said. "This will be the largest amount we have received in one week."

              The vaccine is distributed by the federal government to the provinces and provincial officials then dole it out it to health authorities, May said.

              Initially, vaccine supplies were limited because of "production challenges," but the current temporary shortage arose because so many people attended clinics, May said.

              "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
              -Nelson Mandela

              Comment


              • #22
                Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

                H1N1 flu shot clinics for Dec. 7-11

                Published: December 04, 2009 10:00 AM
                Updated: December 04, 2009 10:48 AM
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                <!--startclickprintexclude-->

                There are four public clinics to receive the H1N1 vaccine (and the seasonal flu shot) in New Westminster next week.

                All the clinics are at Queen?s Park Arena, at First Street and Third Avenue.
                The clinics are on Monday (Dec. 7), Wednesday (Dec. 9), Thursday (Dec. 10) and Friday (Dec. 11).

                All clinics are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Monday?s clinic, which closes at 6:30 p.m.

                The shots are free, and available to all individuals over six months old. People can receive both the H1N1 and the seasonal flu shot at the same time, if they choose.

                For more information, or to find flu clinics in other cities, visit the province's H1N1 flu virus web site.

                "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                -Nelson Mandela

                Comment


                • #23
                  Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability


                  Provincial Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall speaks at a press conference announcing the rollout of the H1N1 vaccine in Victoria, B.C., on Oct. 21, 2009.
                  H1N1 vaccine clinics to close next week

                  Updated: Tue Dec. 08 2009 15:30:29

                  <SCRIPT language=javascript type=text/javascript> var byString = ""; var sourceString = "The Canadian Press"; if ((sourceString != "") && (byString != "")) { document.write(byString + ", "); } else { document.write(byString); }</SCRIPT>The Canadian Press

                  B.C.'s H1N1 vaccine clinics will close on Dec. 18.

                  Medical Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall said Tuesday that people should take advantage of the clinics until then to get immunized against the swine flu.

                  "The demand is slowing down and we think that by the 18th trying to keep large clinics open will not be a very good use of resources," he said.

                  "We think we can meet the demand without having to take over malls or high school gyms or community centres."

                  The shots will continue to be available at doctors' offices, medical clinics and through some pharmacists.

                  Meanwhile, three more people have died in B.C. after getting the H1N1 flu and 32 others had severe cases of the flu in the last week.

                  That's a sharp decline since the week before when eight deaths and 93 hospitalizations were reported.

                  Since April, 47 people have died in the province, 40 of them having suffered from underlying medical conditions, five who didn't and two cases are still under investigation.

                  Medical Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall says people should take advantage of H1N1 clinics to get immunized against the swine flu before they close December 18.
                  "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                  -Nelson Mandela

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

                    Last day for H1N1 immunization clinics in B.C.

                    Updated: Fri Dec. 18 2009 09:50:50

                    <SCRIPT language=javascript type=text/javascript> var byString = ""; var sourceString = "The Canadian Press"; if ((sourceString != "") && (byString != "")) { document.write(byString + ", "); } else { document.write(byString); }</SCRIPT>The Canadian Press

                    Today is your last day to get a flu shot at one of the special clinics set up around B.C. to offer vaccinations for the H1N1 virus.

                    Health officials are closing almost all the clinics in the face of falling demand for the shots.

                    "The demand is slowing down," medical health officer Dr. Perry Kendall said. "We think we can meet the demand without having to take over malls or high school gyms or community centres."

                    The shots will continue to be available at doctors' offices, medical clinics and through some pharmacists.

                    The number of deaths and hospitalizations from the flu has been falling in recent weeks, but Kendall says there could be another wave of the illness later in the winter.

                    Since April, 47 people have died in the province, 40 of them having suffered from underlying medical conditions, five who didn't and two cases are still under investigation.

                    For a complete list of H1N1 and seasonal flu clinics, visit the B.C. health services website.


                    Today is your last day to get a flu shot at one of the special clinics set up around B.C. to offer vaccinations for the H1N1 virus.
                    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                    -Nelson Mandela

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

                      Pharmacist authorized to give injections

                      <!--endclickprintexclude-->By Erin Hitchcock - Williams Lake Tribune
                      Published: December 18, 2009 7:00 PM
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                      <!--endclickprintexclude-->Georgina Chipman is the first pharmacist in Williams Lake authorized to give vaccine injections.

                      ?I?m the only one so far,? says Chipman , a part-time pharmacist at Shoppers Drug Mart, who took part in a program put on by the B.C.
                      Pharmacy Association and the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

                      She says the course is brand-new, as it started in the summer for pharmacists to become authorized through the B.C. College of Pharmacists to give vaccine injections.

                      Chipman took the program this fall due to the H1N1 pandemic.

                      ?They were trying to train more health professionals to be available to give injections, specifically for the flu shots,? she says, noting that she can give other vaccines as well.

                      The on-line course included 15 modules, which Chipman completed in one week. Then she needed to pass a test at the end and complete a day-long practical workshop that was held in Prince George for the northern pharmacists.

                      After also updating her CPR and first aid, she became licensed.

                      ?So it took me about a month to do it,? she says, adding that Shoppers Drug Mart?s continuing education program helped pay for the course.
                      Since there are currently no flu clinics being held in Williams Lake, she isn?t able to give the H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccine this year ? but she will be able to next year.

                      ?That will free up nurses to do their other flu shot clinics,? she says, noting that Shoppers Drug Mart can access the publicly-funded vaccines, like H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines, but wasn?t able to this year since

                      Chipman wasn?t yet licensed to give injections.

                      Until the next H1N1 vaccines come in, she can give pneumococcal vaccines or travel vaccines, for diseases such as Hepatitis A and B.

                      ?It enhances the scope of practice for pharmacists,? she says. ?And it?s to allow pharmacists to administer these types of medications. Our scope, over time, will expand to include other medications that are given by injection, but because it?s just new, we?re starting out slowly.?

                      Chipman says if someone were to get a prescription for a travel vaccine, for a $15 fee, she would be able to administer it at Shoppers Drug Mart.
                      Although it?s free for someone to get the vaccine at the doctor?s office, sometimes it can be hard to get an appointment during convenient hours, she says.

                      Shoppers Drug Mart also provides a private room for those getting vaccinated.

                      ?Then we just ask patients to remain in the drug store for 15 minutes afterward to monitor for any reactions.?

                      According to the B.C. Pharmacy Association, B.C. pharmacists were officially granted the authority to administer injections on Oct. 21, by which time the B.C. Pharmacy Association had already put in place an Accredited Administration of Injections program.

                      With about 2,800 community pharmacists practising in more than 1,000 B.C. community pharmacies, and many pharmacies open evenings and weekends long after physicians? offices and public health units have closed, pharmacists are a logical, additional resource for injections administration, the association says.

                      Since the summer, the association has been working with the College of Pharmacists of B.C., the Ministry of Health Services and the BC Centre for Disease Control on the development, accreditation and implementation of an Accredited Administration of Injections training program.

                      http://www.bclocalnews.com/bc_caribo...ate=12-11-2009&
                      "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                      -Nelson Mandela

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

                        Appointments needed for H1N1 vaccinations

                        Wednesday, December 23, 2009

                        Northern Health says it will offer H1N1 vaccinations in the new year, by appointment only.

                        Since April 2009, there have been 1,037 severe H1N1 cases in British Columbia, 44 of which occured in the North.

                        To date, there have been 52 H1N1-fatalities in B.C, two of which occured in Northern Health's jurisdiction.

                        Northern Health says, to put the H1N1 outbreak in perspective, 400 to 800 people die in British Columbia from the seasonal flu or pneumonia each year.

                        But, officials continue to advise citizens to get their free H1N1 vaccination.

                        Anyone interested in getting the flu shot should call 250-263-6000 to book an appointment.

                        "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                        -Nelson Mandela

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

                          City Log: Mass flu shot clinic goes today

                          Derek Spalding, The Daily News
                          Published: Wednesday, December 30, 2009

                          LAST MASS H1N1 CLINIC

                          The Vancouver Island Health Authority will hold its final mass immunization clinic for H1N1 influenza vaccinations today at the Beban Park Social Centre, but smaller public clinics will offer the same shots in the new year.

                          Demand for vaccinations has dropped all around the province. In central Vancouver Island, health officials project that 33% of the population has received their shots with more people trickling in throughout the holidays.

                          So far, about 51,7000 people in the region have been vaccinated through the public health clinics, according to a VIHA spokeswoman. With plenty of vaccine doses available, there is more than enough to go around, said Moira McLean, VIHA communication officer.

                          Nanaimo had seen stable numbers attending the public clinics, more so than other communities, because health clinics do not have enough staff to offer the shots. Today's clinic starts at noon and lasts until 5 p.m.

                          PUBLIC CLINICS:

                          Jan. 6 Princess Royal Family Centre; 260 Irwin St., 9:30-11:30 a.m.

                          Jan. 8 Public Health Clinic; 1665 Grant Ave., 2-4 p.m.

                          Jan. 13 Princess Royal Family Centre; 260 Irwin St., 9:30-11:30 a.m. (appointment only)

                          Jan. 15 Public Health Clinic; 1665 Grant Ave. 2-4 p.m.

                          Jan. 20 Princess Royal Family Centre; 260 Irwin St., 9:30-11:30 a.m.

                          Jan. 22 Public Health Clinic; 1665 Grant Ave., 2-4 p.m.

                          Jan. 27 Princess Royal Family Centre; 260 Irwin St., 9:30-11:30 a.m. (appointment only)

                          Jan. 29 Public Health Clinic; 1665 Grant Ave., 2-4 p.m.

                          "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                          -Nelson Mandela

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Re: British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

                            B.C. to offer H1N1 flu shots to athletes, tourists in Vancouver for the Olympics

                            VANCOUVER, B.C. ? Athletes, officials and tourists in Vancouver for the Olympics are being invited to take home an unusual souvenir from next month's Winter Games - an H1N1 flu shot.

                            British Columbia's chief medical officer of health says anyone who wants a pandemic flu shot while at the Olympics is welcome to get one.

                            Dr. Perry Kendall says the province will provide the vaccine for free, but there will likely be a nominal administration fee charged by the health-care provider who gives the shot.

                            He says officials will be directing people who want flu shots to pharmacists who can provide them.

                            The province, like the rest of Canada, has enough leftover H1N1 vaccine to make the offer.




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                            "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                            -Nelson Mandela

                            Comment

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