H1N1 Immunization Campaign Expanded

Health Promotion and Protection

Published Thursday, November 5, 2009

Nova Scotia's H1N1 vaccination campaign has been expanded. Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief public health officer, says people 19 or younger with chronic medical conditions for which they receive regular medical attention, including morbid obesity and women who have just given birth and their partners will now be eligible to receive H1N1 vaccine.

Quotes

“Like other provinces and territories, we targetted our immunization campaign last week based on a national vaccine shortage. Now, we're able to offer vaccine to more of those people who are most at risk of severe illness.” Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia chief public health officer

“If you're in one of these priority groups, I urge you to get vaccinated against H1N1 as soon as possible. If you're not, I ask for your patience and your understanding.” Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia chief public health officer

Quick Facts

• People in the first risk group, announced last week, are also still eligible to be immunized:
• Pregnant women, and women up to four weeks postpartum;
• Children aged six months to younger than five years old
• People living on First Nations communities
• Health-care workers in district health authorities, long-term care facilities and home-care agencies who provide direct care to patients. This includes family physicians, family practice nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
• Dr. Strang said the decision to expand the group will ensure that as many of the most vulnerable Nova Scotians as possible will be vaccinated quickly, with our existing supply.
• As of today, the province has received 178,900 doses of vaccine, 173,500 adjuvanted and 5,400 unadjuvanted.
• Nova Scotia expects to receive 28,500 doses of adjuvanted vaccine and 23,200 doses of unadjuvanted vaccine next week.
• Dr. Strang asked employers to be flexible with employees who need time to be vaccinated at short notice.
• For a fact sheet with details on the new groups eligible for vaccination, visit www.gov.ns.ca/h1n1 , or call HealthLink 811.

Learn More

• Nova Scotia H1N1
• Vaccine clinics
• HealthLink 811
• Public Health Agency of Canada

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