Health Unit advises only prioritized residents to seek flu clinics

Greater Sudbury residents should stay away from initial flu vaccine clinics unless they belong to a prioritized group, said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Sudbury and District Medical Officer of Health.

“I want to reinforce the message we have been telling the public all along-that the first round of H1N1 vaccine is only for those people who are at the highest risk,” said Dr. Sutcliffe, in a release late Friday afternoon.

Those highest at risk include:
-people under 65 years of age with chronic conditions
-pregnant women
-healthy children six months to under five years of age
-people living in remote and isolated settings or communities
-health care workers involved in pandemic response or the delivery of essential health care services
-household contacts and care providers of people at high risk who cannot be immunized or who may not respond to vaccines

“If you are not in one of the priority groups or one of their care providers, please do not try to get your H1N1 vaccine now. We are relying on you to protect your neighbours, your friends, your family and your co-workers from getting seriously sick or even dying from H1N1,” she added.

“This targeted approach is one that Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Arlene King, has directed us to follow given that next week we will receive a lower supply of vaccine than had been originally anticipated,” said Sutcliffe.

“I am appealing to healthy people in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts to step aside while those at risk for complications from H1N1 get their shots first. If you do not fall into one of those groups, please do not come to the community clinics.”

Sutcliffe said this applies to the New Sudbury Centre vaccine clinic Saturday Nov. 31 and any other community clinics until further notice.

“I cannot stress this strongly enough-if you are not in a priority group, please be patient,” she said.

Sutcliffe emphasized the need to vaccinate children aged six months to five years.
“H1N1 influenza has taken a particular toll on our younger populations, and young children are at greater risk of getting severely ill or having to be hospitalized if they get this strain of flu. I strongly encourage people in the priority groups to get their shots by going to one of our Health Unit community clinics or by calling one of our offices to make an appointment.”
Sutcliffe said the Health Unit would keep the community informed.
“I want to reassure you that we are committed to continue with our plan to give H1N1 vaccine to everyone in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts who wants it, once we have more supply. And we are committed to keeping you updated.”

Information is available at www.sdhu.com for the location and times of community flu clinics, or phone 522-9200. To decide whether you need a health care professional visit www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ccom/flu/public/tools/assessment/default.aspx for a self assessment tool or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000; TTY; 1-866-797-0007.