News Release                            For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                    October 29, 2009

Additional pH1N1 Vaccine Clinics

The Grey Bruce Health Unit will hold additional Community Immunization Clinics, beginning Monday, November 2, to accommodate demand for the pH1N1 flu vaccine. Additional clinics are also schedule for Saturday, November 7 and Saturday, November 14. All additional clinics will be 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 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 four weeks post-partum
• healthy children 6 months - 5 years old
• healthcare workers

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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Attachments: Community Flu Clinic Schedule 2009 - Extra Nov clinics added 

For more information:

Denna Leach

Program Manager

Grey Bruce Health Unit

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