Vaccinate police now, commission says
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 | 4:49 PM MT
CBC News
Police should be at the head of the line for the H1N1 vaccine, the Edmonton Police Commission said Wednesday afternoon.
"When we heard about the priority list, and they weren't on, then we also heard that the police were told to line up, I mean, so much for the idea they were considered first responders, or in some situation at greater risk than the average person in public." said Robert Dunster, vice chair of the Commission.
Police officers should be regarded the same as health care and emergency medical service workers, said Dunster.
"If things really start to unfold, as they could, police dealing with the public, responding to emergencies and dealing with people with all manners of health matters and health conditions, things will only get worse and it will be too late to do anything relative to a vaccine."
The Commission has made numerous requests that Alberta Health Services hold vaccination clinics for police officers with no success, Dunster said.
