Saskatoon Health Region updates influenza immunization plans

Saskatoon Health Region is expecting its first shipment of H1N1 vaccine to arrive by the end of this week and plans to start immunization of health care workers Monday, October 26. "We are pleased that the vaccine has cleared all the safety checks from Health Canada and we ready to move forward with immunization plans," says Ross Findlater, deputy medical health officer Saskatoon Health Region. "Because we are receiving H1N1 vaccine shipments each week, we are staggering our immunization plans. Next week, we will start with health care workers to ensure they stay healthy and are able to care for those who may require medical attention." Given the information Saskatoon Health Region has today regarding its H1N1 vaccine shipments, the immunization plans are as follows:

* October 26 - H1N1 immunization begins for health care workers

* November 2 - H1N1 immunization of Saskatoon's core neighborhoods

* November 9 – H1N1 immunization of groups at elevated risk. Those groups are residents with underlying medical conditions (obesity, heart and lung diseases, diabetes, those with compromised immune systems, etc.), children six months of age to 5 years old, and pregnant women - building towards mass immunization of general public.

The Region has been told there will be enough H1N1 vaccine for all residents who wish to receive it. H1N1 immunization of all residents is expected to be completed over the next 4-6 weeks. H1N1 vaccinations are free. As soon as mass immunization clinic locations and dates are available, they will be advertised. Children under six months of age are not eligible for the vaccine. Saskatoon Health Region is also expanding its seasonal influenza immunization clinics now that it is known H1N1 vaccine will be arriving in stages. Along with long-term care residents and those over 65 years old, the Region will now offer seasonal flu shots to the remaining high-risk groups of children 6-23 months of age, pregnant women, health care workers, and anyone under the age of 65 with a chronic health condition. Seasonal flu vaccination clinics will cease when mass H1N1 immunizations begin in mid-November. The seasonal clinics will re-start upon the completion of H1N1 immunization. Almost all influenza detected in Canada currently is H1N1 - pandemic influenza. This is the predominant virus and poses the greatest risk to Canadians for this influenza season. The Region is encouraging everyone to get immunized to help minimize the spread. Saskatoon Health Region will continue to inform the public of any changes to immunization plans as vaccinations progress over the next few weeks. The public is asked to check for both seasonal and H1N1 immunization clinic times and locations by visiting our website at saskatoonhealthregion.ca