Central Health began offering its H1N1 vaccine through mass immunization clinics on October 30.

During those first two weeks of the program, the groups to be targeted are those people who are the highest risk of experiencing complications if they contract H1N1 influenza.

These groups, which have been determined by national experts, include: Individuals under 65 with chronic health conditions; Individuals living in remote and isolated communities; Children six months up to five years of age; Health care workers involved in pandemic response or the delivery of essential care services; Pregnant women; and Household contracts and caregivers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines and populations otherwise identified as high risk.

Because the H1N1 vaccine is not recommended for children under six months of age, parents of children age zero to six months will be offered vaccine during the first two weeks of mass immunization clinics.

Others Should Wait

Those who do not fall under one of the high risk categories mentioned above are requested to wait to receive their vaccines until later in the vaccination schedule, after the first two weeks of mass immunization clinics.

There are two exceptions to this. The first is where immunization will be offered in weeks one and two to the entire population of Rencontre East, Gaultois and McCallum because of their remoteness.

The second exception is for the aboriginal community of Conne River where vaccine will be offered to the entire population of that community due to the established level of risk in aboriginal communities.

Mass immunization clinics will be held in each community listed from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. The following schedule is subject to change based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, weather conditions, ferry schedules, availability of vaccine and vaccine uptake.

The following schedule for mass immunization clinics that have been confirmed (but may be subject to change) to date (as of October 27) are as follows:

Rencontre East, November 2, Parish Hall

Conne River, October 30,31 and November 1, St. Anne’s All Grade School

Gaultois, November 3, Lions’ Club

McCallum, November 4, Community Centre

Harbour Breton, October 31, (Harbour Breton, Belleoram, St. Jacques, English Harbour West, Mose Ambrose, Boxey, Wreck Cove, Coombs Cove, Pool’s Cove, Hermitage-Sandyville, Seal Cove); LOL Lodge

St. Alban’s, November 1, (St. Alban’s, St. Veronica’s, Swangers Cove, St. Joseph’s Cove, Head of Bay d’Espoir, Milltown and Morrisville) Royal Canadian Legion.

Members of the public are reminded that they need to bring their MCP card with them to register at mass immunization clinics. A parent or legal guardian, who can sign a legal consent form for them to receive the H1N1 vaccine, must accompany children.