Residents lined up for hours at Spruce Grove flu clinic

Residents who waited in line for the H1N1 vaccine last week in Spruce Grove had to brave lines of over 4 hours.  The clinic, which was setup at Westland Market Mall, was a part of the province-wide immunization program.  Starting on November 2nd, an additional swine flu clinic was to begin in Stony Plain.

Unfortunately, on October 31st Alberta Health Services announced that all H1N1 clinics suspended due to vaccine supply issues.  In a press release Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. André Corriveau said:

After consulting top senior public health officials from across Alberta, and with a reduced supply of H1N1 vaccines expected to arrive in the province starting next week from the manufacturer, we have ordered the suspension of all immunization clinics in Alberta effective immediately. The suspension will remain in effect until further notice.

The handling of the immunization program has angered many Albertans, who believe that high-risk groups (such as children under 5), should have been triaged first.

For more information on Alberta’s plans for pandemic H1N1 influenza, please visit http://www.health.alberta.ca, or www.albertahealthservices.ca.

H1N1 vaccine available in Stony Plain and Spruce Grove

On October 2 6th, health officials in Alberta began to administer the H1N1 vaccination program.  According to the Alberta Health Services web site “all Albertans are welcome to receive their H1N1 immunization” but they are specifically asking high risk groups to get vaccinated immediately.   This includes:

• People under 65 with chronic health conditions and their caregivers.
• Pregnant women.
• Children six months to less than five years of age and their caregivers.
• 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 persons at risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines.

Spruce Grove location:

Westland Market Mall, 70 McLeod Avenue, Suite 106
Oct. 27, 2009 (1:00pm to 8:00pm)
Oct. 28, 2009 (1:00pm to 8:00pm)
Oct. 29, 2009 (1:00pm to 8:00pm)
Oct. 30, 2009 (1:00pm to 8:00pm)
Oct. 31, 2009 (9:00am to 4:00pm)

Stony Plain location:

East Parkland Bible Church, 4704-79 Avenue
Nov. 03, 2009 – Canceled
Nov. 04, 2009 – Canceled
Nov. 05, 2009 – Canceled
Nov. 06, 2009 – Canceled
Nov. 07, 2009 – Canceled

For detailed clinic information, including dates, times and locations, visit http://www4.albertahealthservices.ca/Immunization/ or call Health Link Alberta toll-free at 1-866-408-5465, in the Edmonton area at 780-408-5465 or in the Calgary area at 403-943-5465.