Ottawa Public Health has announced the vaccination clinics for H1N1 will begin Oct. 26, one week ahead of schedule.
Dr. Isra Levy says the city expects to receive 37,000 doses by the end of this week and another shipment of the same amount early next week.
He says this number is a limited supply of the vaccine and so the focus will rest on getting it to those who need it most. These groups of people include:
- people six months old to 65 years old with chronic medical conditions
- pregnant women
- healthy children between six months and 5 years of age
- household contacts and care providers of infants younger than six months and people with compromised immune systems
Levy says it will be a few weeks before there is a sufficient supply of the vaccine to extend the vaccine to healthy people ages six months to 65 years.
Gloucester-Southgate Ward Coun. Diane Deans says it is important for people to be patient while the city ensures those who need the vaccine most get to it first. She says there will be enough for everyone.
Levy could not confirm the exact date the vaccine would be available to everyone but he says it should be in mid-November.
He says the vaccine is the best way to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus.
“I encourage everyone to get the vaccine.”
For Centretown residents, the closest permanent vaccination clinic is at the Tom Brown Arena at 141 Bayview Road. It is open weekdays 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.