Enough H1N1 Vaccine For North: Irvine

Enough H1N1 Vaccine For North: Irvine

Monday, November 02, 2009 at 12:48

 

 

Northern Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer says there will be enough H1N1 vaccine to treat all northerners.

 

Dr. James Irvine says that unlike in other parts of the country which are grappling with a severe shortage of vaccine, northern health authorities will have enough to do the job.

 

Irvine notes that some parts of the country are placing risk groups such as pregnant women at the front of the line when it comes to giving out vaccines.

 

However, he says all of northern Saskatchewan is still considered to be at high risk, due to overcrowded conditions and the high number of Aboriginal residents.

 

Therefore, everyone will be treated on an equal basis.

 

“Certainly in our communities in northern Saskatchewan, when the mass immunization clinics are scheduled for your community, everyone will be accepted,” Irvine says.

 

Irvine says he’s hopeful all of the north can be treated within the next two weeks.

 

Irvine says the H1N1 flu virus is present in virtually every community in northern Saskatchewan, but he reminds the public that that doesn’t mean everyone will feel sick from it.

 

He says prevention techniques like the constant washing of hands and staying home when sick are good guidelines to follow during the second wave of the pandemic.