Priority groups expanded for H1N1 vaccine

Health and Community Services Minister Jerome Kennedy has announced the priority groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine will be further expanded effective tomorrow, Nov. 5.

It will follow the arrival of the province's next shipment of adjuvant vaccine this week.

"We estimate that there are approximately 100,000 people between 25 and 65 years of age with chronic conditions, representing about 20 per cent of the population. We simply don't have enough vaccine to offer it to all of these individuals at this time.

"We are trying to balance the limited vaccine supply versus the needs of the public."

The following groups will be added to the priority list for H1N1 vaccination beginning Thursday:

- Hospital in-patients less than 65 years of age with one or more chronic health conditions;

- Expansion of school-aged children from Kindergarten to Grade three;

- Individuals between the ages of 25 and up to, but not including, 40 with chronic respiratory disease such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis. Eligibility will require proof of active treatment of the disease (e.g. Prescription, labeled medication, insurance forms, etc.); and,

- Individuals undergoing active cancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiation) and transplant patients (including pre-transplant patients on a wait list and directed by their physician to receive the vaccine and post transplant patients in the last two years).

Unadjuvant vaccine for women less than 20 weeks pregnant will
be available beginning today, Wednesday.

Outside the St. John's metro area, pregnant women are asked to make an appointment to be immunized. You can make this appointment by calling 1-877-720-2323.

Times for these clinics will be posted on the Eastern Health website, 'www.easternhealth.ca' later today.

The province's next supply of adjuvant vaccine is expected Nov. 11.

For health related inquiries, call the Healthline at 1-888-709-2929. For questions about clinics, call 1-877-752-4358.