Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability
H1N1 clinics to close in N.S.
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 | 12:34 PM AT
CBC News
Demand for the H1N1 flu shot has dropped. (CBC) <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.5890" name=GENERATOR><LINK title=/iw/ewebeditpro20/feature.css disabled href="/iw/ewebeditpro20/feature.css" rel=stylesheet>
The largest immunization campaign in Nova Scotia's history is winding down.
Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief public health officer, said demand for the H1N1 flu vaccine has dropped off, so local vaccination clinics are now wrapping up across the province.
Clinics in all the province?s regional health districts will close their doors by week?s end, though the vaccine will still be available at doctors? offices.
Strang said he?s pleased with the outcome of the massive vaccination effort ? despite hiccups during the program?s rollout.
?We got hit with a couple of things that weren?t anticipated: a change in public opinion followed shortly by a vaccine shortage,? he said.
A national vaccine shortage followed, forcing health officials to restrict H1N1 doses to high-risk groups, such as pregnant women and front-line health workers. On Nov. 20, the province?s H1N1 vaccination program was expanded back to include the general public.
"Like anything, you're not going to get it perfect. I think we did a very good job adjusting,? Strang said. ?If I had to do it all over again, with the same information I had in the middle of October, we?d roll the program out in essentially the same way.?
According to Strang, about 50 per cent of Nova Scotians have been immunized so far. He's still urging everyone to get vaccinated, as soon as possible. The vaccine is still available at doctors' offices across the province.
Clinic closures
The Capital Health district, which covers Halifax Regional Municipality and the western part of Hants County, will hold its final public H1N1 clinics on Tuesday at Duncan MacMillan High School in Sheet Harbour and Auburn Drive High School in Dartmouth.
The Cape Breton District Health Authority is holding its final public clinic on Saturday in Baddeck from noon until 4 p.m. at the Masonic Hall.
In Port Hawkesbury, the final clinic will also be held on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Evergreen Seniors? Club.
Nova Scotians can get more information about clinic schedules at the provincial government?s health website.
H1N1 clinics to close in N.S.
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 | 12:34 PM AT
CBC News
Demand for the H1N1 flu shot has dropped. (CBC) <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.5890" name=GENERATOR><LINK title=/iw/ewebeditpro20/feature.css disabled href="/iw/ewebeditpro20/feature.css" rel=stylesheet>
The largest immunization campaign in Nova Scotia's history is winding down.
Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief public health officer, said demand for the H1N1 flu vaccine has dropped off, so local vaccination clinics are now wrapping up across the province.
Clinics in all the province?s regional health districts will close their doors by week?s end, though the vaccine will still be available at doctors? offices.
Strang said he?s pleased with the outcome of the massive vaccination effort ? despite hiccups during the program?s rollout.
?We got hit with a couple of things that weren?t anticipated: a change in public opinion followed shortly by a vaccine shortage,? he said.
'Like anything, you're not going to get it perfect'?Dr. Robert Strang, chief public health officer
Nova Scotia launched its vaccination program at the end of October. Demand for the vaccine grew after a string of well-publicized H1N1-related deaths across the country.A national vaccine shortage followed, forcing health officials to restrict H1N1 doses to high-risk groups, such as pregnant women and front-line health workers. On Nov. 20, the province?s H1N1 vaccination program was expanded back to include the general public.
"Like anything, you're not going to get it perfect. I think we did a very good job adjusting,? Strang said. ?If I had to do it all over again, with the same information I had in the middle of October, we?d roll the program out in essentially the same way.?
According to Strang, about 50 per cent of Nova Scotians have been immunized so far. He's still urging everyone to get vaccinated, as soon as possible. The vaccine is still available at doctors' offices across the province.
Clinic closures
The Capital Health district, which covers Halifax Regional Municipality and the western part of Hants County, will hold its final public H1N1 clinics on Tuesday at Duncan MacMillan High School in Sheet Harbour and Auburn Drive High School in Dartmouth.
The Cape Breton District Health Authority is holding its final public clinic on Saturday in Baddeck from noon until 4 p.m. at the Masonic Hall.
In Port Hawkesbury, the final clinic will also be held on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Evergreen Seniors? Club.
Nova Scotians can get more information about clinic schedules at the provincial government?s health website.
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