Some N.W.T. miners not offered H1N1 vaccine
Last Updated: Friday, November 6, 2009 | 7:14 PM CT
CBC News
About 45 per cent of the overall population in the Northwest Territories received the H1N1 flu vaccine during the first week of a territory-wide immunization campaign last week. (CBC)Workers coming from other parts of Canada to work in the Northwest Territories' three diamond mines are not eligible to get the swine flu shot from territorial health officials, who are giving N.W.T. residents first priority.
The plan to give N.W.T. resident workers the H1N1 influenza vaccine right now is not sitting well with "fly-in" mine employees who reside in other parts of Canada but fly up to work in the mines for rotations lasting weeks at a time.
"It's almost discriminatory," said Steve Walsh, president of the union local representing workers at BHP Billiton's Ekati diamond mine.
"If you reside south of 60 and you work in the diamond mines … you're not allowed to actually have this shot. Frankly, if you're only going to inoculate half the population of the mine, you're still having a breeding ground for the rest of it."
Overall, about 45 per cent of the N.W.T.'s population received the H1N1 shot during the first week of a territory-wide immunization campaign last week.
Health officials say they are giving residents first crack at the vaccine at this time, based on priorities agreed upon across Canada. Mine workers who come from outside the N.W.T. are being urged to get vaccinated in their home communities.
"The plan has always been N.W.T. residents first," deputy health minister Paddy Meade told CBC News.
"They have been given the dosage that they need for N.W.T. residents at the three mines. These miners that are from other jurisdictions clearly can get vaccinated in their home jurisdictions.
"The question is when they fit the priority list, and I think given the work that other jurisdictions are trying to do, I don't think the two-week [mine] rotation will be a problem."
Walsh said mine workers live in close quarters, and everyone is at risk when they meet in gathering areas at the mines, such as recreation rooms and cafeterias.
Company nurses will administer the flu vaccines at the mines.
Meade said that if necessary, mine workers from outside the N.W.T. might be offered the vaccine in the N.W.T. when the next round of flu vaccines start later this year.
