Hamilton pandemic H1N1 Influenza A Update - Pandemic H1N1 vaccine clinics announced

 
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Pandemic H1N1 Influenza

HAMILTON, ON - October 22, 2009 – The City of Hamilton’s Public Health Services is continuing to respond to the pandemic H1N1 Influenza virus situation.

Health Canada has approved the vaccine against the pandemic H1N1 Influenza A.  In response to this announcement, Hamilton Public Health Services has scheduled vaccine clinics to begin October 26, 2009. 

“With the increased H1N1 activity occurring in this community, it is important to protect yourself by getting vaccinated,” says Dr. Elizabeth Richardson, Medical Officer of Health for the City of Hamilton. “We have been assured that over the next several weeks there will be sufficient H1N1 vaccine available for every Hamilton resident who needs and wants to be vaccinated.  For the first week, Hamilton clinics will provide the H1N1 vaccine for groups and individuals who are at the highest risk of complications from H1N1 based on criteria from the Public Health Agency of Canada.”

Four clinic sites have been selected across the city to improve access for Hamilton residents.  The clinic schedule for the first week appears below.  

Groups and individuals at highest risk of complications from H1N1 are:

• people with chronic medical conditions under the age of 65;
• pregnant women (20 weeks or more gestation);
• healthy children six months to under five years of age;
• health care workers involved in the pandemic response or who deliver essential health services; and
• household contacts and caregivers of persons who are at high risk who cannot be immunized or (such as infants under six months of age or people with weakened immune systems).

As well, routes are being explored to provide the vaccine through the hospitals and family practices starting with those serving the largest groups of high risk patients due to the limited number of doses available this week. This may begin as early as Wednesday of next week.

For those who do not meet the guidelines for receiving the H1N1 vaccine for the first week, please visit www.hamilton.ca/H1N1 or contact the H1N1 hotline at 905-546-H1N1 (905-546-4161) for additional clinic locations, dates and times. 

Please note that non-essential Public Health Services programs and services will be reduced during this heightened period of pH1N1 response.

* Public Health Services would like to remind citizens that there are simple measures to prevent the spread of the flu such as frequent hand washing with soap and water or a hand sanitizer, covering your cough by coughing or sneezing into your sleeve, and staying home when you are sick.

If individuals are ill with mild flu-like symptoms, they should avoid going to work, visiting others in the hospital or in long term care facilities, or attending events where large groups are gathered. The length of time a person is sick with influenza is decreased by getting a good night’s sleep, not smoking, and gargling with salt and warm water. 

As the Emergency Departments are seeing increasing numbers of ill people, it is important that individuals who have questions as to whether or not they should seek health care call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000.  Those with severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, blueness around the mouth and nose or disorientation should continue to seek care immediately.

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Media Contact:
Dr. Chris Mackie, Associate Medical Officer of Health
Public Health Services    
905 546-2424, ext. 3502

Reference:
Michael Kirkopoulos
City Of Hamilton
P: 905.546.2424 ext. 5598
E: michael.kirkopoulos@hamilton.ca