Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:08:0
AHN Staff
Edmonton, Alberta (AHN) - Because of the surge of Alberta residents seeking Influenza A (H1N1) immunization, the provincial government will unveil on Tuesday a new swine flu vaccination strategy.
Alberta Health Minister Ron Liepert said the new plan would inoculate first Albertans classified as at highest risk of acquiring the H1N1 virus. These are pregnant women, children from six months to five years and residents below 65 with chronic ailments.
As a result of the new plan, all immunization clinics across Alberta were cancelled. In a statement last week, the Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Andre Corriveau and Senior Medical Officer of Health Dr. Gerry Predy explained, "The demand for the H1N1 vaccine during the first week of the immunization campaign was tremendous. To date we have vaccinated more than 300,000 Albertans. However, we cannot continue to address that level of demand with the expected reduction in the vaccine shipment next week. It is imperative that we focus on the most vulnerable with the vaccine we currently have on hand and with the smaller than expected amount arriving."
In other Canadian provinces which reported long queues of residents seeking swine flu protection, numerous innovations were introduced to address the problems associated with the long lines. Ottawa implemented a wristband policy to control entry because of a local website which advertised falling-in-line fees at $15 an hour.
Toronto, which opened 10 more vaccination clinics last week, introduced a numbered ticket system.
Vaccine manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline said it is running 24/7 to produce the 50 million doses Ottawa ordered from it, while federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq maintained there is sufficient H1N1 vaccine until before Christmas for all Canadians who want protection from the swine flu virus.
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