News Release                           For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                  November 5, 2009

Additional pH1N1 Vaccine Clinics

The Grey Bruce Health Unit will hold additional Community Immunization Clinics to accommodate widespread distribution of the pH1N1 flu vaccine.

Additional clinics are scheduled for:

Wednesday, November 18     Port Elgin             United Church, 840 Bruce St.        

Clinic Hours   3:00 - 7:00 p.m.    

Wednesday, November 25     Walkerton           Walkerton District Secondary School       Clinic Hours   3:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Monday, November 30           Kincardine           Davidson Centre                    

Clinic hours    3:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Additional clinics are also schedule for Saturday, November 7 and Saturday, November 14 at the Grey Bruce Health Unit, 101 17^th Street East, Owen Sound.

Currently, the additional clinics will continue to offer the pH1N1 vaccine to the priority group only. As more vaccine becomes available from the province, it will then be offered to the general public.

Previously scheduled seasonal influenza vaccine clinics across Grey Bruce will offer both the pH1N1 vaccine to priority groups as well as the season flu vaccine to seniors 65 years and older.

The pH1N1 vaccine will be available to those listed in the priority group identified below (those with or without a family doctor/nurse practitioner).

The priority group for pH1N1 vaccine includes:

• those with chronic medical conditions under the age of 65 (chronic conditions include: chronic respiratory disease including asthma, cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases, cancer, immunodeficiency or immunosuppression (due to underlying therapy and/or disease including HIV/AIDS), renal disease, anemia or hemoglobinopathy, morbid obesity, children less than 18 years of age on long term aspirin therapy, conditions that compromise the management of respiratory secretions and are associated with an increased risk of aspiration, such as neurologic conditions or cognitive disorders)
• pregnant women with pre-existing health conditions or who are more than 20 weeks gestation
• women up to six weeks post-partum
• healthy children 6 months - 5 years old
• healthcare workers
• household contacts and care providers of infants less than 6 months of age and persons who are immunocompromised

A reminder to grandparents or caregivers bringing children to clinics, please provide a signed letter of consent from the child’s parent and/or proof of guardianship. 

As the health unit receives shipments of vaccine from the province, the pH1N1 vaccine is being made available to participating physicians across Grey Bruce. Please check with your physician or health care provider for vaccine availability and to schedule an appointment.

For further information, call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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Attachment: Community Flu Clinics Schedule - Nov 5 

For more information:

Denna Leach

Program Manager

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1462