St. John's H1N1 vaccine supply running low
Last Updated: Monday, November 2, 2009 | 5:45 PM NT
CBC News
Newfoundland and Labrador health officials say they expect to run out of swine flu vaccines in the St. John's area soon.
"I'm informed by the CEO of Eastern Health that we expect to be out of vaccine in St. John's by [Tuesday]," said Health Minister Jerome Kennedy Monday.
Other parts of the province are expected to continue offering vaccinations Tuesday against the strain of H1N1 influenza A virus causing the current swine flu pandemic. So far, the province has received more than 85,000 vaccine doses. Another shipment is expected to arrive Wednesday.
The province has limited vaccinations to people believed to be at the highest risk of having complications if they contract influenza.
Kennedy says he's received numerous angry emails over the past few days from people between the ages of 25 and 65 with chronic health conditions, who are not eligible for priority H1N1 vaccinations in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"Under 65 with chronic conditions … could be more than 20 per cent of our population," said Kennedy. "So, it's very difficult to pick and choose an individual and say we can address your situation. So, people will have to be patient and bear with us."
On Sunday, Kennedy expanded the list of people who are being offered an H1N1 flu shot.
"We have assessed our vaccine supply," said Kennedy, "and have now expanded the group to include parents or primary care providers of children under the age of six months and of immuno-compromised children and young adults who cannot be vaccinated."
Up until Sunday afternoon, access to the vaccine was limited to children between the ages of six months and five years, people between the ages of five and 24 who have chronic conditions, and pregnant women who are in the second half of their pregnancy.
Late Monday afternoon, the provincial health department annouced H1N1 non-adjuvanted vaccine will be available by appointment after Tuesday for pregnant women up to 20 weeks into gestation.
"We will be receiving 2,900 doses of the unadjuvanted vaccine [Tuesday] and will be able to offer it to pregnant women in the first half of their pregnancy on an appointment basis," said Kennedy in a news release Monday. "Pregnant women are asked to contact their regional health authority to make an appointment to receive the vaccine later this week."
