Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

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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.

'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.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2009/12/15/ns-h1n1-clinics-end.html

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=10>Last updated at 10:47 PM on 17/12/09 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Clinics wrap up, but opportunities remain for H1N1 vaccine
The Amherst Daily News

AMHERST - While H1N1 vaccination clinics have wrapped up in Cumberland County, public health officials say it's not too late to get a shot.<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O:P></O:P>

The final clinic was held in Amherst on Thursday, but people can still get an H1N1 shot by contacting their family doctor or calling public health at 667-3319 or 1-800-767-3319.<O:P></O:P>

"Starting next week, people can contact public health if they have not received an H1N1 vaccination and want to receive one," Ann Keddy of the Cumberland Health Authority said. "They will be compiling a list and then probably get everyone together to be vaccinated."<O:P></O:P>

Going into this week, nearly 15,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine had been dispensed through public vaccination clinics, doctors offices, public health and organizations like the VON.<O:P></O:P>

Attendance at the final public clinics has been slow, but things were busier at the final clinic in Amherst.<O:P></O:P>

Even though the second wave of H1N1 has fizzled out, public health officials are still urging people to get vaccinated. There's a strong belief a third wave will hit the area early in 2010.

http://www.amherstdaily.com/index.cfm?sid=311815&sc=58

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Re: Nova Scotia - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

<DL class=tags><DT>N.S. to provide free flu shots to everyone in province this winter



<DL class=author><DD class="date published">Published on July 8th, 2010 </DD></DL></DT></DL>HALIFAX - Seasonal flu shots will be free for all Nova Scotians later this year.

Health Minister Maureen MacDonald says the potential exists for H1N1 to be one of the main influenza strains this coming winter.

MacDonald says it is important that everyone have access to the vaccine.

In previous years, the flu program was publicly funded for certain risk groups including people 65 and older, children six to 23 months old, pregnant women, health-care workers and first responders.

This year, the program will cover anyone who wants to get immunized.

Influenza season in Nova Scotia typically runs from November to April.

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http://www.journalpioneer.com/Canada---World/Sports/2010-07-08/article-1519159/N.S.-to-provide-free-flu-shots-to-everyone-in-province-this-winter/1