CALGARY – Long lineups are forming today at four massive immunization clinics that will give Calgarians their first chance to roll up their sleeves for the long-awaited H1N1 vaccine.
Public health officials are urging residents to get the shot as the best way to protect against the pandemic influenza.
Those most at risk are encouraged to be first in line for the vaccine, but no one will be turned away from the four Calgary locations, said Dr. Judy MacDonald, deputy medical officer of health with the provincial superboard.
"It’s our hope that as many people as possible will come forward to be vaccinated and be protected against this infection," she said.
The H1N1 immunization is offered at four locations–Brentwood Village Mall, EMS Whitehorn, Richmond Road Diagnostic Treatment Centre and Avenida Village Mall. The clinics open at 8:30 a.m. today.
Those who arrive at the mass clinics need only bring their Alberta health card to get the shot.
"We know that vaccination is the best way to protect themselves and prevent getting this infection," said MacDonald.
The message is echoed by the nation’s top public health officials, who stress the importance of receiving the shot.
Even the high-level warnings haven’t convinced some reluctant Calgarians to roll up their sleeves.
"I probably won’t get it," said Kathleen Barr, 26, calling the decision a "personal preference."
Indeed, the vaccine has prompted a significant public debate. Some people simply don’t view the new strain of flu as a particular threat, while others question the vaccine itself.
Philip Cox, 49, said his family, including his two children aged eight and four, will get the shot. But he didn’t come to the decision easily.
"There’s been a lot of confusing information out there. We’re being very cautious about it, but it’s the direction we’re heading," said Cox.
Health officials are rushing to quell concerns over the vaccine. The flu shot arrives just as a second wave of the disease has hit the province and the nation.
"Health Canada has reviewed everything and made the determination that the vaccine is safe and effective," said MacDonald. "I’m hoping the people who haven’t made up their minds will take the opportunity to look into it further. If they need more information, it’s out there."
Dr. Jim Dickinson, a flu expert at the University of Calgary, said the science behind the vaccine is sound. Those not persuaded to get the shot should consider that the virus is unique in that some serious cases have hit otherwise healthy young adults, he said.
"That’s an important part of the decision-making about who can get the vaccine," he said.
"High-risk groups are more at risk, but anybody can get into trouble."
The vaccine works in a similar way to the seasonal flu vaccine.
In Calgary, this year’s seasonal flu immunization saw thousands of people arrive when the clinics first opened.
It’s difficult to predict how many people will line up for the H1N1 shot, but health officials are preparing for a similar amount of traffic, MacDonald said.
People with chronic medical conditions, children from six months to about five years old and pregnant women are the initial focus of the clinics. Health-care workers are also first in line for the shot.
"We know that the H1N1 virus is circulating in our community, we know that by and large most cases of this infection are mild," said Mac-Donald. "But we know that there are some people, though, that get serious and severe infection that requires hospitalization."
Ian Gordon, 26, said he’s waffling over whether to get the shot.
"My biggest concern is, has there been enough research on it?"
"But I’m pretty sure our system has been doing enough work that it’s OK," he said. "I’m going to trust it."
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H1N1 Immunization Clinics
– Brentwood Village mall, 302, 3630 Brentwood Rd. N.W.
– EMSWhitehornstation, 100,370535thSt. N.E.
– Richmond Road Diagnostic Treatment Centre, 1820 Richmond Rd. S.W.
– AvenidaVillagemall, 303,12445LakeFraserDr. S.E.
– For hours and other information on the clinics, visit http://www.albertahealthservices.ca
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