Centretown residents will have an easier time finding out if they have the H1N1 flu, but plans for further vaccination sites have stalled.
Ottawa Public Health announced Tuesday that both Somerset West Community Health Centre and Centretown Community Health Centre will house two of six flu assessment centres opening immediately.
The new flu assessment centres are meant to lighten the burden on the city’s emergency departments and are for people whose symptoms worsen rapidly or are at risk for complications, such as children under five years old, seniors over 65 and pregnant women.
This does not, however, mean that Somerset West and Centretown community health centres will provide H1N1 vaccinations.
Despite media reports last week that vaccinations will be made available to alternative medical facilities, such as hospitals and community health centres, a city health official says most of those plans have been put on hold.
Such plans were made prematurely and the recent shortage in vaccinations has not made it possible to expand the number of H1N1 vaccination providers, the official says.
The flu assessment centres will be open seven days a week. From Monday to Friday, they will open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For Centretown residents still looking to be vaccinated, the nearest fixed clinic is Tom Brown Arena on Bayview Road.
For those who don’t want to get out of Centretown for their H1N1 vaccination, roving clinics are planned to arrive at city hall on Nov. 16 and 23 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Nov. 18 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.