Health Unit issues H1N1 flu release

The following release was issued to the media on October 27 by the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit.


Health Unit Schedules Additional H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinics For High-Risk Residents in Northumberland County-

There are more H1N1 flu vaccine clinics for high-risk individuals now scheduled for
Northumberland County.

These clinics, being organized by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit, will be provided to people who are most at risk of complications due to H1N1 flu. These clinics are set as follows:
• Port Hope – Friday, November 6 – noon to 6 pm at the Town Park Recreation Centre (62 McCaul St.) in Port Hope.
• Campbellford – Saturday, November 7 – 10 am to 4 pm at St. John’s United Church (50 Bridge St.) in Campbellford.
• Brighton – Wednesday, November 11 – noon to 6 pm at the King Edward Park Community Centre (75 Elizabeth St.).
• Cobourg – Friday, November 13 – 10 am to 4 pm at the Cobourg Lion’s Centre (157 Elgin St.).
• Campbellford – Wednesday, November 25 – noon to 7 pm at St. John’s United Church (50 Bridge St.) in Campbellford.
• Port Hope – Friday, November 27 – 10 am to 6 pm at Town Park Recreation Centre (62 McCaul St.) in Port Hope.

People are encouraged to visit the Health Unit’s web site at www.hkpr.on.ca as additional clinics will be posted as they are confirmed.

“Everyone who wants to get the H1N1 flu vaccine will be able to get one,” says Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, Medical Officer of Health with the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit. “We are asking for people’s co-operation in ensuring those most at risk of complications due to H1N1 flu are able to receive vaccine first.”

The H1N1 flu vaccine clinics are being provided in two phases, based on a “sequencing” system set out by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Individuals identified to get the H1N1 flu vaccine in the first phase include:

• People with chronic medical conditions, under the age of 65. A chronic medical condition is defined as a condition that puts people at a higher risk of complications from the H1N1 flu virus. Conditions include cardiac disease,
chronic pulmonary diseases (especially asthma), diabetes and other metabolic diseases, cancer, renal disease, anemia or hemoglobinopathy, immunodeficiency (e.g. HIV), morbid obesity, transplant patients and those who have conditions that compromise the management of respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration.

• Pregnant women

• Healthy children from six months to five years.

• People residing in remote and isolated communities.

• Health care workers involved in pandemic response or the delivery of essential health care services.

• Household contacts and care providers of people at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines.

The second phase of the H1N1 immunization will be available to: healthy adults between the ages of 19 and 64, adults 65 years of age and older, healthy children aged five to 18 years, first responders (including police and fire), and swine and
poultry workers. The Health Unit will announce the second phase of H1N1 flu vaccine clinics in the near future.

“Immunization remains the best defense against the H1N1 flu virus, so it is important that people roll up their sleeves, especially those who are most at risk of developing complications due to H1N1 flu,” Dr. Noseworthy adds.

Individuals attending the H1N1 flu vaccination clinics are asked to bring their Ontario health card, as well as their driver’s licence, if they have one. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Health Unit’s web site at www.hkpr.on.ca or call toll-free at 1-866-888-4577 to speak to someone.