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Sun Nov. 01 2009 4:34:40 PM
Wait for H1N1 shot could extend beyond Christmas
cp24.com
Families wait in line for the H1N1 vaccination at a Toronto clinic on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2009.
The province is doubling its number of H1N1 vaccination clinics and staff but says it may still be until Christmas before everyone is immunized.
In a news conference held on Sunday, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Deb Matthews advised Ontarians to talk to their doctor about getting the vaccine, urging people who aren’t in the designated priority groups to stay away from the clinics until they are asked to come.
Matthews also address long wait times on the provincial Telehealth phone service, saying additional staff have been put in place to better handle the influx of calls.
Dr. Arlene King, Ontario’s chief medical officer, says it will be “some time” before everyone who wants the shot can get it.
The province is still working to immunize people in its priority groups, such as children, pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions.
H1N1 immunization clinics continued in some parts of the GTA on Sunday but were closed in Toronto, following three days of swarming lineups and frustration for many of those seeking the shot.
Tensions flared Saturday afternoon outside the Etobicocke Civic Centre, which reached its maximum of patients shortly after noon.
Frustrated people lashed out at clinic workers when they learned that those still in line, many who had been there for several hours, would have to return on Monday. The line was also closed early at the only other clinic in the city, at the East York Civic Centre.
The national shortage of the H1N1 vaccine is putting crimps in plans to roll out the shot outside of Ontario as well.
In Alberta, the government has been forced to close all vaccination clinics across the province. Officials there say clinics for people in priority groups will likely resume tomorrow or Tuesday.
People who are not in the priority group will be turned away when the clinics resume operations.
Meanwhile, Ontario has recorded its third H1N1-linked death in just over a week. Officials say a Niagara Falls-area woman with underlying medical conditions died earlier this week.
Parents in southwestern Ontario say their 12-year-old daughter died after contracting the H1N1 virus. Leanne and Paul Hergott say their daughter Sarah got sick last Saturday and died on Thursday.
The couple says their daughter had an underlying medical condition and hospital staff told them she had contracted H1N1.
Evan Frustaglio, 13, died Monday after contracting the H1N1 virus. He had taken part in a hockey tournament in London the weekend before he died, where he complained of throat and neck pain.
His friends and family members will say their final goodbyes at a funeral ceremony on Monday.
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Add Comments(13)
November 01, 2009 at 5:32:10 PM
Lida
Life is what it is. The authorities are doing what they can. Try putting yourselves in their shoes and having an onslaught of people rushing to you. It takes time. Pray instead of complaining.
November 01, 2009 at 5:54:01 PM
Jawaid
I agree, and just want to add that the government should send the medical teams to the elementary school first. In this way we can control the disease and the fear which is growing fast in kids.
November 01, 2009 at 6:25:29 PM
angry
This is not a third world country. There is a vaccine. Why should anyone else die? If it was my child who died, I wouldn't be able to go on without her.e This is preventable.open these clinics around the clock, hire overtime staff. This is an emergency and more needs to be done. They seem to come out with money for ttc improvements, olympic bids, but not to save innocent people from dying for no reason.
November 01, 2009 at 6:47:57 PM
Fellow
My condolences to the family of young Evan Frustaglio! At 13 his life was cut short by H1N1 before living any or a lot of his dreams.
While young Evan lost his life before the vaccine was made available for him and his family, our politicians are still unable to provide vaccination for most of us. While young Evan lost his life before the vaccine was made available, the vaccine mysteriously made available for member of an exclusive club for a price, which I am assuming HEAFTY. This is worst than the e-health mess so lets see who is going to be the escape goat this time.
My final word: 8 hours in a line, hmmmm, no thanks.
November 01, 2009 at 6:55:22 PM
Marc
People need to relax. This is blown way out of proportion. The government should do this, the government should do that. It's so easy to be a Monday morning arm chair quarter back. Let them do their job and stop complaining. The flu isn't their fault.
November 01, 2009 at 7:44:32 PM
joe araujo
What about cash money , do you think the virus can be spread by handling money ?. I think people should wash their hands after handling money .
November 01, 2009 at 8:13:14 PM
Laura
I's a mess
They should give vaccine in schools and big work pleases like the airport with thousands of worker which work different shifts and are not able to line up for hours.A message to our goverment wake up and smell the coffee!!!!!
November 01, 2009 at 8:55:23 PM
Roz
I stood in a line up 3 days Mon, Tuse & Wed finally day 3 after 6 hrs in line my daughter, which is high risk got her H1N1 needle....all 3 times no one was screening people to see if they fell into the high risk status....now as of Friday my daughter took sick & have been diagnosed with H1N1 & is now on the Tamiflu......my concern is why isn't these clinics held at schools to get these children vaccinated? & why did our great leaders wait so long to make this vaccination available?
November 01, 2009 at 9:07:23 PM
Mark (Whitby)
Since May of this year, under guidelines from the WHO, all levels of government have made preparations to warn the public on guildelines involving H1N1. Officals and the public have known for months about this. Even having the shot will not prevent you from contracting H1N1 but will slow its progress. Always follow basic personal hygiene methods and if you have a cold or flu stay at home. Use common sense.
November 01, 2009 at 9:13:37 PM
angry2
children under 18 should be on the priorty list before pregnant women.I see groups of people on tv in lines for the "priority list". People are using a friend or family member to get vaccinated. If someone in the priorty line cannot attend by themselves,they should be accompied by ONE person.
November 01, 2009 at 11:06:05 PM
anu
i think h1n1 shots should be given to all kids,no kid or a parents should go thorough what Evan and his parents went through...plz open this h1n1 clincs for all kids ,plz save our future
November 02, 2009 at 2:23:26 AM
sick nurse
The ministry is doing its best to provide the vaccine, they are not withholding.It can only be produced so fast people. I have already been/am sick with this virus.Probably the worst thing I have ever had.
Here is one of the big problems. Employers do NOT permit people to stay home when sick. They pressure their employees to come in.
I think employers should be fined for pressuring sick employees into work.As a health care worker I know we will never get a grip on this because of this problem. One person comes to work sick and infects everyone at work, then they take it home ............
November 02, 2009 at 6:58:33 AM
Scott McLean
Just a question to our government in charge, Why wouldn't we go to the schools first,immunize the children ,with parents consent, avoiding lineups of unreasonable wait times and this way being able to immunize the other prioity groups? I realize no answer/response will come as this might make sense!