Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/660972
Hundreds line up for flu shots
First H1N1 clinic vaccinates 1,750
October 27, 2009
Rachel De Lazzer
The Hamilton Spectator
(Oct 27, 2009)
Vaccine gridlock took hold yesterday as a stream of people seeking swine flu shots crossed Governor's Road, into the parking lot of Dundas Baptist Church.
It was the city's first public H1N1 vaccine clinic and was open from 1 to 7 p.m.
Parked cars filled side streets for at least three blocks.
A car nearly drove into two people crossing the road to the clinic before police arrived and stopped traffic to allow crossings. But many braved the long line, to get the shot as soon as possible.
Denise Bond said her son, 5, is high risk because of severe asthma.
"I wanted to get it done as soon as possible because their school's got a lot of H1N1 already. I think they said about 14 cases."
She said her kids attend Sir William Osler Elementary School.
In early afternoon, the wait was about 1 1/2 hours. The line trailed from inside the church, onto the sidewalk and stayed about 100 strong.
One man sat on his own portable stool and read a fat book while he waited. Another with a bad back took a perch on a nearby rock.
Kids in bright jackets, some in strollers, waited side by side with middle-aged adults and the elderly.
People were given a consent and information form to complete in line. Once they reached a nurse, the form was reviewed, any gaps filled in and a shot was given.
Public health staff said last night that about 1,750 people were vaccinated at the Dundas clinic yesterday.
Public health had 55 staff on hand, most of whom were nurses.
Public clinics in various locations this week are only for people in a high-risk group, such as those with compromised immune systems, chronic illnesses and kids from six months to less than five years old.
The city is planning more clinics next week for the rest of the public.
It will decide today or tomorrow on next week's clinic schedule and post it on its website.
"Right now we're just waiting on more information from the ministry on the vaccine shipments," said Marcia Matthews, mass-immunization clinic lead.
When asked how sure a Nov. 2 start date was for the clinics for the wider public, public health spokesperson Tara Hall said: "That's when we're expecting it, but it's this moving target."
Clinics will be held at the same four locations used this week for at least the first five weeks, but depending on demand, clinics may not be held daily, Matthews said.
A schedule will likely be posted on a weekly basis.
Matthews said the vaccine is offered to local doctors' offices and, if accepted, could be available at those offices as early as tomorrow, but still only for those in the high-risk group.
Matthews said the clinics operate on a honour system -- no one verifies people belong to the high-risk group.
See hamilton.ca/influenza for the clinic schedule.
rdelazzer@thespec.com
Hundreds line up for flu shots
First H1N1 clinic vaccinates 1,750
October 27, 2009
Rachel De Lazzer
The Hamilton Spectator
(Oct 27, 2009)
Vaccine gridlock took hold yesterday as a stream of people seeking swine flu shots crossed Governor's Road, into the parking lot of Dundas Baptist Church.
It was the city's first public H1N1 vaccine clinic and was open from 1 to 7 p.m.
Parked cars filled side streets for at least three blocks.
A car nearly drove into two people crossing the road to the clinic before police arrived and stopped traffic to allow crossings. But many braved the long line, to get the shot as soon as possible.
Denise Bond said her son, 5, is high risk because of severe asthma.
"I wanted to get it done as soon as possible because their school's got a lot of H1N1 already. I think they said about 14 cases."
She said her kids attend Sir William Osler Elementary School.
In early afternoon, the wait was about 1 1/2 hours. The line trailed from inside the church, onto the sidewalk and stayed about 100 strong.
One man sat on his own portable stool and read a fat book while he waited. Another with a bad back took a perch on a nearby rock.
Kids in bright jackets, some in strollers, waited side by side with middle-aged adults and the elderly.
People were given a consent and information form to complete in line. Once they reached a nurse, the form was reviewed, any gaps filled in and a shot was given.
Public health staff said last night that about 1,750 people were vaccinated at the Dundas clinic yesterday.
Public health had 55 staff on hand, most of whom were nurses.
Public clinics in various locations this week are only for people in a high-risk group, such as those with compromised immune systems, chronic illnesses and kids from six months to less than five years old.
The city is planning more clinics next week for the rest of the public.
It will decide today or tomorrow on next week's clinic schedule and post it on its website.
"Right now we're just waiting on more information from the ministry on the vaccine shipments," said Marcia Matthews, mass-immunization clinic lead.
When asked how sure a Nov. 2 start date was for the clinics for the wider public, public health spokesperson Tara Hall said: "That's when we're expecting it, but it's this moving target."
Clinics will be held at the same four locations used this week for at least the first five weeks, but depending on demand, clinics may not be held daily, Matthews said.
A schedule will likely be posted on a weekly basis.
Matthews said the vaccine is offered to local doctors' offices and, if accepted, could be available at those offices as early as tomorrow, but still only for those in the high-risk group.
Matthews said the clinics operate on a honour system -- no one verifies people belong to the high-risk group.
See hamilton.ca/influenza for the clinic schedule.
rdelazzer@thespec.com