British Columbia- Novel H1N1 Vaccine Availability

[Pathfinder]

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.

http://www.canada.com/vaccine+doses+coming/2285206/story.html

 

[Pathfinder]

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
<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> function commentWrite(o) { var commentString = '
' + o['num_posts'] + ' Comment' + (o['num_posts'] == 1 ? '' : 's'); document.write(commentString); } </SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://disqus.com/api/v1/get_num_posts/?forum_url=bclocalnews&thread_identifier=78534532&callback=commentWrite" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT>
<!--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.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/78534532.html

 

[Pathfinder]

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.

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/...h1n1_091208/20091208/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

 

[Pathfinder]

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.


http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/...inics_091218/20091218?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

 

[Pathfinder]

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
<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> function commentWrite(o) { var commentString = '
' + o['num_posts'] + ' Comment' + (o['num_posts'] == 1 ? '' : 's'); document.write(commentString); } </SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://disqus.com/api/v1/get_num_posts/?forum_url=williamslaketribune&thread_identifier=79598152&callback=commentWrite" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT>
<!--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_carib...79598152.html?period=W&mpStartDate=12-11-2009&

 

[Pathfinder]

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.

http://www.energeticcity.ca/fortstjohn/news/12/23/09/appointments-needed-h1n1-vaccinations

 

[Pathfinder]

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.

http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=e156a7b1-6549-4858-9a6d-b57bd7bbd0f2

 

[Pathfinder]

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.


http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gdPrYeGPRWKW3p4G85TGz4LAJM4g

<!-- google_ad_section_end(name=article) -->