NWHU continues H1N1 immunization of priority groups this week

News Release
NWHU

This week the Northwestern Health Unit will continue to offer H1N1 immunization for priority populations.
Priority populations include:
• People under 65 with chronic conditions
• Healthy children 6 months to under five years of age
• People living in remote or isolated communities
• Health care workers
• Household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or who may not respond to vaccines.
Pregnant women also remain a priority population, and the Northwestern Health Unit eagerly awaits delivery of the unadjuvanted vaccine reserved for this group. The vaccine is expected in early November, though pregnant women are encouraged to discuss the options with their health care provider.
Northwestern Health Unit staff is hard at work immunizing our communities as quickly as possible in anticipation of increased influenza activity over the coming months.
For those people who fall outside of priority populations, rest assured – there will be vaccine available for all who want and need it. “It’s not logistically possible to immunize everyone in the next few weeks, so we are seeking the public’s support in ensuring priority groups (those most at risk for serious illness and complications) are first in line” states Dr. James Arthurs, Acting Medical Officer of Health.
As the Northwestern Health Unit strives to implement both H1N1 and seasonal immunization as quickly as possible, the organization remains committed to keeping the public informed. “We intend to keep the community, the media, and our partners as up- to-date as possible about H1N1 with locally relevant information” suggests Dr. Arthurs.
H1N1 immunization clinic information varies by community and can be found on www.nwhu.on.ca or by calling the Flu Hotline (toll-free) at 1-866-468-2240. Both sources, which are intended to help the organization manage unusually heavy call volumes, contain the most up-to-date information and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Editor's Note: The Record went to the NWHU website on Monday to see what clinics would be available in the Rainy River area and no information was found. An email in response to this from NWHU said, "We are just waiting to update the website as we are not sure about vaccine supply and if the clinics that we do have posted are going to be able to run."