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Written by Dave Mabell Lethbridge Herald
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Thursday, November 05 2009, 8:48 PM |
Toddlers and parents streamed through a Lethbridge Exhibition building Thursday, as H1N1 flu vaccinations resumed in southern Alberta.
More than two dozen immunization “stations” opened in one of the West Pavilion, offering protection to children under five years of age. Children in the six to 59-month age group will remain a target group today, but pregnant women will also be welcome to receive flu shots.
“As of 5 p.m., we had 1,400 vaccinations,” reported Dr. Vivien Suttorp, the south region’s medical officer of health. “And Medicine Hat had 880.”
The longest wait was 2.5 hours, she added, shortly after doors opened at 11 a.m. That dropped considerably later in the afternoon, she said.
Half-day clinics were held in Milk River and Raymond, and Suttorp said lineups were much shorter.
Vaccinations will continue today and Saturday, again restricted to those highest-risk groups. But Suttorp said no clinic is planned for Sunday, although Alberta Health Services has announced vaccination clinics in Calgary and Edmonton will remain open daily for the forseeable future. And Monday’s plans remain indefinite.
“It depends on if there’s a vaccine supply available.”
Seven-day service is being provided, meanwhile, at the city’s Flu Assessment Centre, located in Heritage Hall on the fairgrounds. Officials report about 120 people were advised or treated there on its first day, Wednesday, with a higher number likely by closing time Thursday.
The centre, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., is staffed by nurses and doctors who may admit a seriously ill patient to the hospital — or provide antibiotics and home-care instructions for someone with less-acute symptoms.
Today’s vaccination clinics will open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Lethbridge as well as the Civic Centre in Cardston. On Saturday, they’re scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ranchlands Mall in Pincher Creek and the Civic Centre in Taber, in addition to the Lethbridge clinic.
Both the regular vaccine and the non-adjuvated variety will be offered pregnant women, officials point out. Parents bringing children are asked to bring a provincial health card as well as age identification to verify they’re over six months but less than five years old, as of Nov. 1.
In Edmonton, provincial health officials confirmed about 275,000 doses of vaccine were currently available, enough to ensure all pregnant women and children within that age group could be vaccinated over the next few days.
Health officials indicated the province’s next priority, likely adults living with a chronic disease, will be announced once these first two groups have been completed. Meanwhile, Dr. Gerry Predy, senior medical officer of health, confirmed four more deaths of patients hit by the H1N1 virus — one in southern Alberta, and others in the Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton areas — bringing the province’s death toll this year to 18.
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