Health issues -- PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

URGENT! Combined H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Clinics for Tomorrow & Saturday—Call to Eligible Residents to Attend!

Clinics scheduled for Friday and Saturday will continue to provide H1N1 vaccination to those at highest risk of serious complications (see below) from H1N1 flu virus, as well as the seasonal flu shot to those 65 years and older and those at risk of health complications from the flu.

Communities with clinics in the next two days:
Armstrong Friday November 13th
Castlegar Friday November 13th
Cranbrook Friday November 13th
Hedley Friday November 13th
Kamloops Saturday November 14th
Kelowna Saturday November 14th
Trail Friday November 13th
Williams Lake Friday November 13th

In keeping with Provincial recommendations, only the following priority groups will receive their H1N1 vaccinations at this clinic:

· Pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy*(See note below)
· Children 6 months – 59 months of age (less than 5 years old)
· Persons under age 65 with chronic conditions
· Persons residing in remote communities; including all Aboriginal populations
· Healthcare workers involved in responding to pandemic influenza
· Household contacts and care providers of infants from birth to 6 months of age when the contact/care provider is less than 65 years
· Household contacts and care providers of persons who are immunocompromised when BOTH the immunocompromised person AND the household contact/care provider are less than 65 years.

Note: An expansion to the above eligibility criteria is expected for next week’s clinics and will be announced in a future PSA.

*Pregnant Women:

A limited supply of unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccine began arriving in Interior Health the week of Nov 9th. Pregnant women are encouraged to contact their health care provider to discuss and/or receive the vaccine, as this vaccine stock is being routed to physicians providing prenatal and obstetrical care.

The unadjuvanted vaccine will not be provided through public clinics at this time.

To Find the Clinic Nearest You and details about times, dates and locations of the clinic nearest you the following week – where you can get both the H1N1 vaccine and a seasonal flu shot – will be posted by end of day Wednesday at:

· Flu Clinic Locator at www.interiorhealth.ca or www.immunizebc.ca
· HealthLink BC, dial 8-1-1, available 24 hours a day
· Your local Public Health Centre

.For media please contact:

Lannea Parfitt
Public Health Communications 250-870-5898

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