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H1N1 flu shots interrupted

Only those on the priority list will receive the H1N1 flu shot
photo: Mark Ovaska/Flickr

Monday, November 2, 2009, was the last day to get the H1N1 flu vaccine until Winnipeg gets more shots, but for those not on the priority list, the wait will be longer.

The priority list consists of all aboriginal people, children from six months to under five years, pregnant women, and people under 55 with chronic medical problems or other risks.

Winnipeg is expected to receive around 7,000 vaccines later this week. The city initially received 89,000 doses starting the week of October 18, 2009, according to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.

Dez Balat, a volunteer at the Portage Place location and a Winnipeg Regional Health Authority worker, says that because the vaccines are limited, those who are at risk should get it first.

“Studies have shown that people who are over 55 years old haven’t been at such a high risk as people that are under. Also, children that are over five have more immunization in their bodies that can still protect them rather than the younger ones, so unfortunately right now we want to focus on those who get affected more easily than younger ones,” said Balat. She had yet to get the shot.

Lindsay McKnight, 37, was in line at the Portage Place Shopping Centre clinic. Healthy looking McKnight suffers from multiple sclerosis, a disease that attacks the body’s immune system.

McKnight thinks that getting the shot is a good thing to do, but thinks that the media hype behind H1N1 is blowing it out of proportion.

“With all the media hype and the talk about pandemics and what to do if half of your workplace doesn’t show up, it encourages people to panic. It’s kind of a catch-22, you have to get the information out there but we are being bombarded by it, it’s on the news every five minutes,” says McKnight.

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