Another update on plans for mass immunization clinics against the H1N1 virus is coming today. Eastern Health has called a news conference for this morning at 10 to outline when and how the vaccine will be available to the public.
The provincial government will make the vaccine available starting on Monday through special clinics and not through individual doctor's offices. Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Faith Stratton, says the province has received 28-thousand doses with more arriving in the next few days. Dr. Stratton says there are a number of people who are at higher risk and should get their vaccine as soon as possible, including people with respiratory illnesses, children, and pregnant women. Health Minister Jerome Kennedy is strongly urging people to get immunized. 28 new cases of H1N1 were reported in the last week (error in the media...28 new cases in one day which = a 25% increase in a day), raising the total number of cases in the province since June to 145. Most of those cases were mild, and there have only been 3 cases that required hospitalization.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association goes along with the idea of mass clinics. Official Dr. Lydia Hatcher says she will definitely be availing of the vaccine as she suspects most of her colleagues will. She says if doctors had to vaccinate their full practice, they would be doing nothing but vaccinating 50 or 60 people per day and not providing regular medical services.
The City of St. John's will be working in conjunction with Eastern Health in the event of any significant H1N1 pandemic.Mayor Dennis O'Keefe says city council has already been briefed by the health officials and St. John's is prepared to provide whatever is needed. O'Keefe says if the health authority needed a location for large care needs such as the convention center, the city would work to make that happen.
Central Health says distribution of the H1N1 vaccine will begin this Monday and the first group to receive it will be health and community service workers. Immunization clinics in sixteen communities will begin the following Monday, November 2nd. Central Health says vaccinations are not mandatory but are recommended for all residents and will be offered free of charge.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Employers' Council is holding a workshop in St.John's today on doctor's notes. Executive Director Richard Alexander says the workshop will delve into employer's rights and responsibilities in dealing with the medical system to return employees to work.
The provincial government will make the vaccine available starting on Monday through special clinics and not through individual doctor's offices. Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Faith Stratton, says the province has received 28-thousand doses with more arriving in the next few days. Dr. Stratton says there are a number of people who are at higher risk and should get their vaccine as soon as possible, including people with respiratory illnesses, children, and pregnant women. Health Minister Jerome Kennedy is strongly urging people to get immunized. 28 new cases of H1N1 were reported in the last week (error in the media...28 new cases in one day which = a 25% increase in a day), raising the total number of cases in the province since June to 145. Most of those cases were mild, and there have only been 3 cases that required hospitalization.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association goes along with the idea of mass clinics. Official Dr. Lydia Hatcher says she will definitely be availing of the vaccine as she suspects most of her colleagues will. She says if doctors had to vaccinate their full practice, they would be doing nothing but vaccinating 50 or 60 people per day and not providing regular medical services.
The City of St. John's will be working in conjunction with Eastern Health in the event of any significant H1N1 pandemic.Mayor Dennis O'Keefe says city council has already been briefed by the health officials and St. John's is prepared to provide whatever is needed. O'Keefe says if the health authority needed a location for large care needs such as the convention center, the city would work to make that happen.
Central Health says distribution of the H1N1 vaccine will begin this Monday and the first group to receive it will be health and community service workers. Immunization clinics in sixteen communities will begin the following Monday, November 2nd. Central Health says vaccinations are not mandatory but are recommended for all residents and will be offered free of charge.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Employers' Council is holding a workshop in St.John's today on doctor's notes. Executive Director Richard Alexander says the workshop will delve into employer's rights and responsibilities in dealing with the medical system to return employees to work.
Comment