Ochapowace Starts On-reserve Immunizations

Ochapowace Starts On-reserve Immunizations

Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 12:43

H1N1 vaccinations are underway on a southern Saskatchewan First Nation.

Ochapowace First Nation residents lined up at 8:00 this morning for their shots.

Four nurses and 14 health staff are working at the health centre until 3:00 this afternoon.

Cheryl Thomas, director of health for Ochapowace, says that no residents are being turned away.

“For instance, if you’re working in our community as the teacher or principal and you’re non-Aboriginal, we’re doing you as well. We’re not excluding anybody. Any community member that works or lives here will get their immunization,” Thomas says.

She says that by 10:30 a.m., 40 people had been immunized, and 50 more were waiting in line.

Ochapowace has nearly 600 members living in the community.