Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

All Albertans under 18 eligible for H1N1 shot Friday

By SUN MEDIA
Last Updated: 18th November 2009, 2:49pm

<DL class=articleImage sizset="2" sizcache="10"><DT sizset="2" sizcache="10">

<DD class=bold>Luciano Alvarez, 6, watches as a nurse prepares his H1N1 vaccination in this file photo. (David Bloom/Sun Media) </DD></DL>
The province's H1N1 immunization program will expand Friday to include all children under 18 as of Nov. 1, as well as their family and caregivers.

And it may expand even further, depending on demand for the vaccine over the weekend, said an Alberta Health Services release.

Immunization for seniors will expand tomorrow to include those 65 years old and above, as well as their spouse or partner of any age.

Previously announced groups will continue to be eligible. They include:

All children over six months and under five years (as of November 1);

Pregnant women;

People with chronic conditions aged 5 to 64 (as of November 1); and,

Household contacts and caregivers of people who cannot be immunized
(infants under six months of age and individuals with suppressed immune systems);

First responders including firefighters, police and provincial peace officers;

Seniors over 75 years of age, as well as their spouse or partner;

And frontline health care workers.

Alberta will have approximately 500,000 doses of vaccine on hand as of Friday, and will be receiving regular shipments through December.

The province says that all Albertans who want to be immunized will have the opportunity over the next couple of months.

Mass immunization clinics will continue for the next several weeks.

Alberta Health Services will be working over the coming weeks to make vaccine available through other providers, including family physicians, pharmacies and employer clinics.

Visit www.albertahealthservices.ca for more information.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/alberta/2009/11/18/11798046.html

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Health officials urge Albertans to get H1N1 shot to ward off new wave


By JAMIE KOMARNICKI, Calgary HeraldNovember 19, 2009 5:02 PM




Jennifer Barry gets her H1N1 flu shot from nurse Melissa Mantai October 27 at the Town and Country Centre in Airdrie.
Photograph by: Ted Jacob, Calgary Herald

CALGARY - Although the second wave of H1N1 appears to be dropping off, provincial health officials are still urging Albertans to get vaccinated to help ward off a third wave of the new influenza on the horizon.

?As it was the case between wave one and two, we don?t expect the virus to disappear completely from the scene,? said Dr. Andrew Corriveau, Alberta?s chief medical officer of health, on Thursday.

?There will be transmission ongoing throughout the winter. We also expect to see a third wave at some point during the winter, the size of which . . . will really be influenced by how many people we can get immunized between now and Christmas time.?

The news comes as the province confirmed two more people with the flu strain have died in Alberta, bringing the total number of deaths to 45.

An elderly man from the Calgary area and an adult woman from the Edmonton area died, said Dr. Gerry Predy, Alberta Health Services? senior medical officer of health. Each had underlying health conditions, he said.

Next week, the province is planning to open its vaccination program to all Albertans. A similar approach when the program was first launched three weeks ago was scrapped, with health officials facing widespread criticism about long clinic lineups and a dwindling supply of doses. The program was later relaunched with clinics targeted at various high-risk groups.

On Thursday, Corriveau said the vaccine supply issue has been resolved, noting Alberta expects to have 500,000 doses on hand next week.

?We will then make more concrete plans to distribute the vaccine to physicians, pharmacists who want to immunize and start talking with employers that might also be interested to offer clinics in their own settings over the coming weeks,? Corriveau said.

Albertan?s don?t need to rush out to get the swine flu shot right away, but should schedule it in over the next few weeks, he said.

Meanwhile, Predy said a ?line management strategy? is in place to help ward off some of the long wait times that plagued the last attempt.

People in long lines will be given wristbands and allowed to leave, with a specific time to return when they will be first up for the shot, he said.

Predy said provincial officials are monitoring the effects of the second wave of H1N1, but noted the number of serious cases appear to be waning.

The holidays are a prime virus transmission time so people should be extra vigilant, Predy added.

?The holiday season is coming up and we know that during the holiday season there is lots of visiting, that?s a high risk time for transmission of influenza and other viruses,? said Predy.

?We remind people they should be getting their vaccine but, again, no need to rush out to get it.?

http://www.calgaryherald.com/health...ertans+H1N1+shot+ward+wave/2242733/story.html

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Alberta H1N1 vaccincation clinics open to all

Last Updated: Monday, November 23, 2009 | 9:53 AM MT

CBC News

Alberta's H1N1 vaccination clinics opened to the general public Monday for the first time since late October when long lineups and vaccine shortages prompted the province to suspend the program and reopen it for high risk groups only.

Anyone over the age of six months is now be eligible for the vaccine, which targets the H1N1 influenza A virus.

Alberta started giving H1N1 flu shots on Oct. 26. Unlike other provinces, which initially restricted shots to high risk groups, Alberta's clinics were open to all.

But after a week marked by hours-long lineups at clinics, particularly in Edmonton and Calgary, the province suspended the program on Oct. 31.

When the program resumed on Nov. 5, only children older than six months and under five years old were eligible for the vaccine.
In subsequent weeks, the program expanded in stages to include other high-risk groups, such as older children, pregnant women and adults with chronic illnesses.

More than 650,000 Albertans have been inoculated to date.

Although the number of swine flu cases in the province appears to be waning, health officials are still urging Albertans to get the vaccine as there could be a "third wave" of the illness later this winter.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/11/23/edmonton-h1n1-clinics-open-general-public.html

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Seventh vaccine clinic opens in Calgary as H1N1 shots made available to all

By Jamie Komarnicki, Calgary Herald
November 23, 2009




Moms fill in the information on clipboards as they await their turns to get their children's shots during the under 5 year old H1N1 clinic November 5 at the Stampede grandstand.
Photograph by: Ted Rhodes, Calgary Herald


As the province reopens its H1N1 vaccination campaign to all Albertans who want to get the shot, a seventh clinic is opening in Calgary today to help ease some of the long lineups. The new clinic is in the South Calgary Health Centre at 31 Sunpark Plaza S.E.

"Certainly what we're trying to do is make it as convenient as possible," said Alberta Health Services spokesman Bruce Conway.

Over the last few weeks, health officials have been staggering delivery of the vaccine, focusing on providing the H1N1 shot to those more at risk of developing the new flu strain.

The province expects to receive enough vaccine to immunize 50,000 people a day over the next few weeks.

Other strategies are in place if lineups get too onerous, including giving people wristbands so they can leave and come back for their shot at a particular time.

The clinics are scheduled to run until late December.
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Locations

- South Calgary Health Centre, 3rd floor

- University of Calgary: "The Loft" at MacEwan Hall (4th floor)

- Stampede Grandstand

- Avenida Village

- Brentwood Village Mall

- Whitehorn

- Richmond Road Diagnostic and Treatment Centre

http://www.calgaryherald.com/techno...+H1N1+shots+made+available/2255530/story.html

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

H1N1 vaccine shortage ends

Posted By BRANDON BLATZ Sun Media
Posted 2 hours ago

The nationwide vaccine shortage was overcome more easily than expected, and everyone over six months of age is now eligible to receive the H1N1 flu shot.

Over 650,000 Albertans have already been vaccinated and the province has about 500,000 doses in stock and expects to receive regular shipments of the vaccine through December, allowing them to vaccinate up to 50,000 people per day.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has announced that all Albertans who want it will have the opportunity to get the shot in the coming months. AHS has also stated that the spread of the second wave of H1N1 influenza is starting to reduce, with emergency rooms seeing fewer people coming in due to the virus. Hospitals' intensive care units have also seen fewer H1N1 influenza-related admissions.

Although lineups have been short during the last couple of weeks of the targeted vaccination campaign, AHS is prepared to manage long lineups.

They will use a wristband system if demand requires, which will tell those who show up to get the shot when they can return to be vaccinated, eliminating the need for people to wait in long lineups prior to the opening of a vaccination clinic.

Mass clinics will be run in Camrose and throughout the province. The next scheduled local clinic is at the Camrose Community Centre on Nov. 27 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. More information regarding the locations and times of the vaccination clinics, as well as all up-to-date information on the H1N1 virus, can be found on the AHS web site at www.albertahealthservices.com.

http://www.camrosecanadian.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2192271

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

1M Albertans vaccinated against H1N1

Updated: Fri Dec. 04 2009 12:12:49
ctvedmonton.ca

Over one million Albertans have been vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus, according to Alberta Health Services.

The province says in an average seasonal influenza vaccination campaign it sees close to 600,000 Albertans immunized between late September and March.

And while over one million have been vaccinated, another two million have not.

"It is extremely important that Albertans continue to come forward and be vaccinated. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community from the H1N1 virus," said Dr. Gerry Predy, senior medical officer of health for Alberta Health Services. "By having more people vaccinated we reduce the potential impact of the third wave of the virus.

As the province continues to urge Albertans to get the flu shot, it doesn't come without hefty costs.


The health board revealed that the vaccination program could run a bill of over $100 million. That number has not been reflected yet in Alberta Health Services' budget update. The organization is now 1.25 billion dollars in the red.

Alberta Health Services maintain that by February it could run out of cash. Recently the health board was given the green light to take out a $200 million dollar line of credit.

http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20091204/edm_h1n1_091204/20091204/?hub=EdmontonHome

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Unused H1N1 vaccine piles up

Hanneke Brooymans, Edmonton Journal: Thursday, December 10, 2009
Vials of H1N1 vaccine.
Photo Credit: Wayne Cuddington, Ottawa Citizen, Canwest News Service, Ottawa Citizen; Canwest News Service


About a month ago, provincial health officials were desperate for more H1N1 vaccine.

Now, they have too much.

Alberta received more than 2.2 million doses of the vaccine as of last week, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. So far, only half that many Albertans have had the shots.

The fact that only one-third of Albertans has been vaccinated worries Dr. Gerry Predy, senior medical officer of health with Alberta Health Services.

"We certainly have concerns that more people haven't come forward," he said Wednesday.

"We've now seen the second wave come through and it's diminished, but the virus is still there and could conceivably come back any time in the next few weeks, because our flu season does extend throughout the winter into April."

About 12 per cent of all specimens from people with respiratory infections tested positive for H1N1, though that number has been dropping every week, he said.

"We're just trying to emphasize to people that getting the vaccination is a preventive measure," Predy said.

"Now's a good time to get it, while it's not here. But if you wait until we are in the midst of an outbreak, it may be too late because you don't develop immunity instantly. It can take a couple of weeks. But human nature being what it is, people respond more when there's something urgent. I think they just don't perceive the urgency now."

In response to the lack of demand, the federal government sent the province no additional doses this week.

Alberta Health and Wellness committed to buying $11.3 million worth of vaccine before June 2010, John Tuckwell, a ministry spokesman, said in an e-mail. He did not specify whether or not that means the province will still receive another million doses, but added, "Our aim is still to immunize all Albertans who want it this influenza season."

What exactly the province will do with unused vaccine is not clear. The federal government pays 60 per cent of the cost of the vaccine.

On Tuesday, 3,500 people showed up for shots at Edmonton-area clinics. There were 84 nurses working at those stations, down from a high of 500 at the peak of demand, Predy said.

The declining demand means Alberta Health Services will shut down some clinics over the next few days to a week, he said. Decisions will be made based on how many people show up at each site.

Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann suggested the government should look into why more people aren't coming forward for shots before it plans the next step.

"On the face of it, it doesn't make sense that people aren't coming out for a free vaccination," he said. "I think we need to know more about what people are thinking about this."

The government should be asking people if they're avoiding the shots because of fears of side effects or whether there are problems with transportation or availability, Swann said. Once those questions are answered it becomes easier to plan a response.

Predy thinks a combination of things have kept people away. Bad weather and holiday preparations have perhaps played a part.

"But I think some of it is also that people aren't too worried about H1N1 because it's not around anymore. We've seen the disease activity drop off. But what we've been reminding people is that the virus is still around, although not affecting many people."

The seasonal flu shot is also available at immunization clinics, though that bug hasn't made an appearance yet. Only two or three swabs out of thousands submitted have tested positive for the seasonal flu.

About 300 people who die in Alberta each year have the seasonal flu. Their deaths are usually not directly attributed to the flu, but rather to underlying conditions, Predy said. For the H1N1 flu, anyone who died with the virus was counted as an H1N1 death even though the cause of death might have been directly due to something else and the virus only contributed to the death. There have been 62 deaths in Alberta so far linked to H1N1.

Federal officials said Wednesday about one-third of Canadians have so far rolled up their sleeves for the shots.

Vaccination rates among the provinces and territories vary from 25 to 66 per cent, but Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada's chief public health officer, said most jurisdictions are hovering around 30 to 40 per cent coverage.

The H1N1 flu pandemic has been waning in recent weeks, but it would be "imprudent" to declare that Canada has reached the peak of this second wave of disease and to predict that the activity will continue to decline, said Butler-Jones. In the pandemic that occurred in 1957-58, cases also waned after a spike in the early fall, only to see a resurgence of serious illness in December and January, he said.

Butler-Jones answered critics who have called for the H1N1 immunization campaigns to be halted because they say enough Canadians have already been exposed to the virus and developed immunity or received the vaccine.

"Unfortunately, there are Canadians who are denying themselves the benefits of vaccination because they believe that we've reached a critical mass of population with immunity. I question that logic," said Butler-Jones.

By the end of this week, about 24 million doses will have been distributed across Canada.

http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/Unused+H1N1+vaccine+piles/2325471/story.html

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

H1N1 flu shots available until Dec. 23

By Ed Moore

Just over 5,200 Edson and area residents have received their H1N1 flu shot.

Deb Guerette, communications director for Alberta Health Services (AHS) ? North said data from Dec. 4 also showed that just over 3,000 Edson and area residents had received their seasonal flu shots.

Provincially, the rush for H1N1 inoculations hasn't exactly been a stampede. Latest figures show just over a million Albertans have received their shot. That means 2.2 million have elected not to get their H1N1 shot. Officials in B.C. said they will discontinue their H1N1 flu shot program on Dec. 18. Alberta won't be too far behind.

"We are running clinics up to Dec. 23, and following that our regular [seasonal] influenza immunization program will continue. It will continue from January to March," Guerette said. Clinics for H1N1/seasonal flu shots continue this week at the Edson Community Health facility on Third Avenue. On Dec. 14 flu shots are by appointment only. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Two more clinics follow on Dec. 17 and 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Both of these will take only drop-in patients. H1N1/seasonal combined clinics will run on Dec. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., and Dec. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon. The final clinic for 2009 will take place on Dec. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information on Edson flu shots clinics, call Community Health at (780) 723-4421 or refer to the AHS website.

Meanwhile the federal Public Health Agency reported a big drop-off in swine flu deaths across Canada last week. For the five days prior to Dec. 8 only six H1N1 deaths were reported nationally, compared to 28 between Nov. 26 and Dec. 8.

But Guerette recommended people get their H1N1 shots now as the third wave of H1N1 is expected to occur in early January.

http://www.edsonleader.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2220964

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Flu clinics to get bolstered staff this week

By TARINA WHITE, Calgary Sun
Last Updated: 20th December 2009, 4:38pm

Alberta Health Services is boosting the number of nurses stations at its three remaining H1N1 mass clinics in Calgary after residents flocked to get the jab on the weekend.

Lengthy lineups resulted in hundreds of Calgarians being turned away hours before the clinics were set to close on the weekend.

?We have seen an increase in the past few days and so we have increased the number of stations at the clinics to meet the new interest and demand,? said AHS spokeswoman Erin Marteniuk.

The three Calgary mass clinics ? Avenida Village, Brentwood Village Mall and Whitehorn EMS ? are open until Wednesday, from noon until 7 p.m.
Whether the mass H1N1 flu clinics will re-open in the new year to meet the renewed demand remains to be seen.

?In the new year we will be reviewing the need and the demand... to determine if we need to open more clinics,? said Marteniuk.

In the meantime, Calgarians can also receive the H1N1 shot from some family physicians and pharmacies, she said.

Dr. Trevor Theman, registrar for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, said some physicians who have applied to AHS for the H1N1 vaccine are offering it at their offices.

He?s encouraging all Albertans to get the shot, saying it?s not too late and could prevent a third wave of the virus, which has been projected by health officials.

?The potential for another wave depends on what proportion of the population gets vaccinated,? said Theman.

?Get vaccinated.?

So far, more than 460,000 Albertans have been vaccinated while at least 66 people in the province have died from the virus.

The increase in demand came after the deaths of otherwise healthy 16-year-old Calgarian Mike Gorbous and a 35-year-old city man, although health officials weren?t able to say if there was a direct correlation.


http://fwix.com/calgary/share/bf23d1c68e/flu_clinics_to_get_bolstered_staff_this_week

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Mass H1N1 clinics wrapping up for 2009

Drayton Valley clinic on Dec. 22

Posted By Courtney Whalen
Posted 9 mins ago

If immunization against the H1N1 virus is on the holiday to-do list, today is the day to get it done in Drayton Valley.

The vaccination clinic being held today at the Royal Canadian Legion between 1 and 7 p.m. is the last mass vaccination clinic scheduled for the area at this time.

"I can't tell you today what we're going to have scheduled after the new year," said Jennifer Currie, executive director of public health, primary care, chronic disease management, central zone for Alberta Health Services, last week.

Planning changes as the H1N1 situation evolves, she said.
However, at this time no mass vaccination clinics are scheduled after today.

"That doesn't mean that the vaccine isn't going to be available in Drayton Valley," said Currie.

Throughout the province the H1N1 vaccine has been available at pharmacies and doctors offices that have requested doses, she said. That practice will continue, although residents will have to call their doctor or pharmacist to see if they are offering the vaccine. Pharmacies, however, can't vaccinate young children.

The easiest thing would be for individuals and families to take advantage of today's clinic, she said.

"This one is so easy to access and our wait times have been very short," she said.

More than 1,200 people have been hospitalized with H1N1 in Alberta since April and 65 people have died from the virus, including an otherwise healthy Calgary teenager who had been battling the virus since the end of October.

More than 1.1 million Albertans had been vaccinated as of last week, said Currie.

http://www.draytonvalleywesternreview.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2231147

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Calgary H1N1 clinics to reopen in January

Chuck Chiang, Calgary Herald: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 11:04 AM

CALGARY - Calgary's three H1N1 clinics will reopen for six days on Jan. 4, provincial officials said this morning.

The clinics were to shut down this evening at 7 p.m., and there had been heavy volumes reported this week as Calgarians rush to get their shots before the closure.

Alberta Health Services said the high demand levels led officials to reopen the clinics at noon on Jan.4, and the locations will remain open until Jan. 9 at 3:30 p.m.

"Interest in the vaccine remains steady and AHS is committed to providing vaccine to all Albertans who want it," provincial health officials said in a written statement.

AHS also did not rule out extending the clinics beyond the six-day period in January, saying that they will determine whether to keep the doors open based on the volume of demand during reopening.

The clinics - at Avenida Village, Unit 303, 12445 Lake Fraser Drive S.E.; Brentwood Village Mall, Unit 302, 3630 Brentwood Rd. N.W.; and Whitehorn, 3705 35 St. N.E. - will be open from noon to 7 p.m. from Jan. 4 to Jan. 7. Hours on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9 will be 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Calgarians are asked to bring a piece of ID and their health cards. More details on the clinics' reopening will be available at 10 a.m.

http://www.globalwinnipeg.com/health/Calgary+H1N1+clinics+reopen+January/2374893/story.html

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

News Edmonton

H1N1 clinics to reopen Monday

By CLARA HO, Edmonton Sun
Last Updated: 2nd January 2010, 5:35pm

Mass H1N1 vaccination clinics will reopen Monday after being closed for the holidays, with health officials urging those who haven?t yet received the shot to do so as soon as possible.

?Your best defence against this infection is to get vaccinated,? said Dr. Judy MacDonald, deputy medical health officer of Alberta, before clinics closed for the holidays on Dec. 23.

More than one million people in Alberta had received the shot before the clinics closed, but at the time, about two million Albertans still hadn?t been inoculated.

Dr. Gerry Predy, Alberta?s senior medical officer of health, told the Edmonton Sun in mid-December that only an estimated 15% to 20% of Albertans have been infected, meaning a third wave that will likely hit after Christmas could still have an impact.

?If a third wave is going to come, it?ll be after Christmas,? he said, adding it likely won?t be as virulent as the second wave due to the numbers that have either been immunized or built up an immunity, but still urged Albertans to get the vaccine.

The face of the H1N1 flu virus has changed since the public first learned of this new influenza strain back in late April, when it was being referred to as ?swine flu.?

When reports of an outbreak in Mexico surfaced, the World Health Organization declared it ?a public health emergency of international concern? as provincial health officials put Alberta on high alert.

The first two human cases in Alberta were confirmed shortly after, with the province?s first H1N1-related death recorded April 28. The woman, identified by family and friends as 39-year-old Tina L?Hirondelle of Gift Lake, had chronic pre-existing medical conditions.

Soon health officials were urging Albertans to practice flu-virus prevention by washing hands frequently with soap and water, using hand sanitizers, and staying home from work and school if experiencing flu-like symptoms.

In June, the World Health Organization raised the global H1N1 pandemic alert level to phase 6, the highest possible level. But Dr. Andre Corriveau, Alberta?s chief medical officer of health, assured that the level of risk to the general public remained low.

?The phase 6 designation is not indicative of how severe this disease is. It is a measure of where and how widespread the new virus has gone around the world,? he said at the time.

On Oct. 26, the province started offering the H1N1 flu vaccination in mass clinics across the province, available to anyone six months or older.

Individuals in high-risk groups were urged to head out earlier, but the shots were open to anyone who showed up and no one would be screened.

As mass clinics were flooded by locals hoping to protect themselves against the H1N1 flu, some people lining up for hours sitting on lawn chairs from home, health officials were forced to temporarily close the clinics five days later due to a nationwide vaccine shortage.

Clinics later reopened in early November but only to pregnant women and children under five years and older than six months. As the month progressed, different high-risk groups were added to the eligibility list.

Facing criticism from opposition leaders, health experts, and the public, Premier Ed Stelmach later admitted that the government could have done a better job with their vaccination program.

?There were significant lineups and we could have done a better job in terms of involving Alberta Emergency Management,? he said.

The clinics were reopened to the general public on Nov. 23 with significantly shorter line-ups.

As of Dec. 30, there have been 1,264 confirmed hospitalized cases of H1N1 and 69 H1N1-related deaths in the province, according to Alberta Health and Wellness. The majority of those who died or hospitalized had underlying health conditions.

clara.ho@sunmedia.ca

http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/edm...tml?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

Three H1N1 clinics reopen today

Kim Guttormson, Calgary Herald: Monday, January 4, 2010 10:41 AM

Three H1N1 vaccination clinics are set to reopen in the city today, although some are expecting there will be less demand for the shot as the second wave of the flu wanes.

But health experts are still encouraging Albertans to receive the vaccine, to help prevent another spike in the number of those falling ill during a third round of the virus.

"A lot of people seem to think it's all settled down," said Dr. James Dickinson, who runs the Alberta influenza surveillance program. "But my feeling is people should go in and get it because the virus is still going to be around.

"It may not be a major epidemic and it may not come back until next year, but it's likely to come around at some point. Why not protect yourself against that?"

Dickinson, a professor in family medicine and community health sciences at the University of Calgary, added that with schools back in session and people coming back from holidays, "it can spread around again. We can't predict, unfortunately."

James Finstad, spokesman for Alberta Health Services, said the clinics will be open today through Saturday and then an evaluation will be done to determine the best method to continue to provide the vaccine.

"We'll look at how best to roll the vaccine out, whether it's mass clinics or community health centres," he said.

"It will continue to be available, we'll evaluate how best to do it.

"It will be different in every community around the province. We want it to be available in the most effective manner."

About 250 pharmacies in Alberta, including 20 in Calgary, are able to immunize all except children under 10. As well, about 500 doctors in the province have requested the vaccine.

Farouk Haji, who owns Health Select Pharmacy in Chaparral, anticipates a slowdown in those wanting the vaccine.

"I think most people who want (the shot) got it," he said, adding his pharmacy administered about 500 shots in the three weeks it had access to the vaccine in December.

"There's not an outbreak and people aren't as interested. If there's another outbreak, it will raise awareness again."

Pharmacies and doctors' offices received the vaccine in early December, augmenting the provincially run clinics.

Haji doesn't think the province did a good job of letting the public know there were alternatives to the mass clinics, such as the ability to book appointments at pharmacies and doctors' offices.

Some people might think they've had H1N1 if hit with the flu last fall, but there's no way to be certain because only those who were seriously ill were being tested for the strain, said Dickinson.

"If you got what you thought was the flu, it's probably still best to have the vaccine," he said, adding it's better to be safe than sorry.

According to Alberta Health Services, H1N1 has been linked to the deaths of 69 people in Alberta as of Dec. 30.

The mass clinics at Avenida Village, Brentwood Village Mall and the Whitehorn EMS station will be open from noon to 7 p.m. today through
Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. They closed for the holidays just before Christmas.

Since the vaccination program began in October, 1.2 million Albertans -- about a third of the population -- received the shot.

About 45 per cent of Canada's population of roughly 34 million has been vaccinated since the H1N1 shot became available across the country Oct. 26.

Unless significantly more Canadians decide they want the vaccine, the country is poised to have more than 20 million unused doses at the end of this flu season in April.

kguttormson@theherald.canwest.com

http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/health/Three+H1N1+clinics+reopen+today/2404354/story.html

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

News Edmonton

City H1N1 clinics closing

By EDMONTON SUN
Last Updated: 25th January 2010, 7:35pm

Edmontonians are being urged to get the H1N1 jab at clinics while they can.

The city?s largest H1N1 immunization clinics are slated to shut Thursday, though some pharmacies and doctors? offices will continue serving those wishing to get inoculated.

?The clinics, after that, will close unless we see a huge influx (of patients),? said Alberta Health Services spokeswoman Holly Regel.

Seasonal vaccine is also available at the clinics, Regel said. Health officials have urged those in high-risk health groups to get both.

The Millbourne Mall clinic, at 38 Avenue and Millwoods Road, will serve patients from 1 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Shots will be given at the East Edmonton Health Centre, 7910 112 Ave., on Wednesday and Thursday, from 1 to 8 p.m.

There have been 71 H1N1-related deaths in Alberta.

http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/edmonton/2010/01/25/12610361.html

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

H1N1 could come back, Friesen says

Posted 5 hours ago



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BENJAMIN RICETTO Today staff Dr. Brent Friesen, chief medical officer for Alberta Health Services, Northern Lights Health Region, says 30% of Wood Buffalo residents are vaccinated against H1N1 ? far short of the 70% provincial target.


ASHLEY CREWE
Today staff

As the number of H1N1 cases continues to decline in the region, a local official warns that there have been past incidences where a third wave in the flu season has occurred in mid-February or March.

According to Dr. Brent Friesen, chief medical officer with Alberta Health Services, Northern Lights Health Region, "at this time we're very fortunate in that the monitoring has shown a very low level of influenza activity."

"We are continuing to monitor that and if people have not been vaccinated for H1N1 or seasonal influenza, they can still take advantage of vaccination clinics," he said.

As of this week, 21,408 people have been vaccinated in the Wood Buffalo region. A total of 22,700 doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been administered as children aged six months to three years were recommended to receive two doses.

More than 2,000 people were vaccinated by their local physicians or other external partners, such as occupational health services.

"Influenza season lasts until late March or early April," Friesen said. "In other years, we have seen surges in influenza around late February or March."

In order to meet the provincial target of vaccinating 70% of the population against the swine flu, some 50,000 to 60,000 local residents would have to roll up their sleeves. Currently the Wood Buffalo population is about 30% vaccinated.

According to the Alberta Health Services website, as of
Jan. 23 approximately 1.25 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been administered to Albertans.

From April 2009 to Jan. 29, there have been a total of 1,276 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza in the province, and 181 in Northern Alberta. The median age of those hospitalized with H1N1 is 34 years.

To date, 71 people have died in Alberta from swine flu. The median age of those deaths was 50 years.

This month's clinic dates for H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccinations are Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Public Health Building in Thickwood.

http://today.ab.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2386568

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

<TABLE class=contentpaneopen><TBODY><TR><TD class=contentheading width="100%">H1N1 clinic set for Friday morning </TD><TD class=buttonheading align=right width="100%"></TD><TD class=buttonheading align=right width="100%"></TD><TD class=buttonheading align=right width="100%"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=contentpaneopen><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Written by production </TD></TR><TR><TD class=createdate vAlign=top>Thursday, 04 February 2010 18:03 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>
As the south zone of Alberta Health Services shifts from mass clinics to drop-in H1N1 clinics at public health offices, all residents are encouraged to get immunized.

Pregnant women, individuals with chronic conditions, children 10-18 years old and travelers are at particular risk of contracting H1N1.

The upcoming week-long break in the school system is a perfect time for parents to bring their children in to be immunized, according to AHS officials.

All Albertans six months of age and older are encouraged to get immunized. Vaccination is the very best way to prevent H1N1 and spread of illness.

All South Zone H1N1 clinics are now drop-in at community health sites. In Vauxhall, a clinic is set Friday, Feb. 5 at 11 a.m.-noon at Vauxhall Community Health.

Those looking to get immunized are asked to bring a piece of identification and a health card, and to wear short sleeves if possible.

Vaccine will continued to be offered to adults at some physician clinics and some pharmacies, but availability may be more limited than in past weeks.

For the most current information on the H1N1 immunization program, including remaining clinic dates and locations, go to: www.albertahealthservices.ca. Clinic dates will vary across the province, so check the website.

Alternatively, contact HealthLink Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.

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http://www.vauxhalladvance.com/index.php/news/local-news/154

 

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Re: Alberta - Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

More H1N1 Clinics Close

2010/02/05 | CityNews| Lisa MacDonald

Alberta Health Services has announced it is closing its H1N1 clinics at Avenida Village and Brentwood Village malls.

Starting Monday, February 8, 2010 the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines will be available through community health clinics instead.
Clinic hours vary by location of the clinic.

Log on to www.albertahealthservices.ca for information on clinic locations and times.

You can also call Health Link at 403-943-LINK.

http://www.citytv.com/calgary/show/news/article/69524?showuid=51103