Released on October 20, 2009
Updated Nov. 2, 2009
Saskatchewan has announced details of how the H1N1 vaccine will be made available across the province.
It's expected the vaccine will begin arriving in health regions over the next several days and vaccinations will begin and continue for the following three weeks for health care workers, rural and remote and higher risk populations including, First Nations and Métis Nations and children six months up to five years old, to protect them and their families and co-workers against H1N1 influenza.
"It's important that we start with the groups that have shown to be at higher risk of severe illness," Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Moira McKinnon said. "While we're starting with the higher risk groups, we will have enough vaccine for everyone who wants it or needs it and I am recommending it for all residents."
The seasonal influenza vaccine is also available for "at risk" populations until the mass vaccination clinics for pandemic H1N1 begin. Almost all influenza detected in Canada currently is pandemic influenza. This is the predominant virus and poses the greatest risk to Canadians for this influenza season.
Details of the vaccine rollout are attached. There will be more specific information available in the coming weeks from health regions advising of dates and locations of local clinics.
Provincial government pandemic plans are also now available online. The Government of Saskatchewan Pandemic Influenza Co-ordination Plan, which is the framework for pandemic planning across the provincial public service, is available by clicking the "Pandemic Plans" icon on www.gov.sk.ca. Individual ministry, Crown and other government organization pandemic plans are available on their websites.
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For more information, contact:
Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Judy Orthner
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5883