Swine flu mass vaccination starts next week

Western Health will start its mass immunization campaign on Nov. 2 with the following target groups:

- All children in the region between the ages of six months and five years. Parents of children in this age group were contacted by their local Public Health Office by Oct. 30 to arrange an appointment for the week of Nov. 2.

- All parents of newborns up to the age of six months. These parents were contacted by their local Public Health Office by Oct. 30 to arrange an appointment for the week of Nov. 2.

- All residents under the age of 65 years who are unable to leave their home because of medical reasons and are currently receiving services from a Continuing Care Nurse. These nurses will contact these residents the week of Nov. 2. For residents who are medically unable to leave their home but are not receiving Continuing Care Nursing Services, please call 1-877-632 H1N1 (1-877-632-4161).

- In keeping with recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada, all pregnant women will be offered an appointment to have the vaccine appropriate to their stage in pregnancy.

- Mass immunization clinics will be offered in the following communities during the period Nov. 5 and Nov. 6 for persons under the age of 65 years with chronic medical conditions such as heart/liver/kidney disease, blood disorders, diabetes, severe obesity, asthma, chronic lung disease, people with compromised immune systems, and those with neurological disorders: Stephenville & Bay St. George, Nov. 5 and 6, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at West Coast Training Centre.

As part of the mass immunization registration process, people are required to have their MCP Card with them at the time of registration. People are asked to wear short sleeves or easy roll up sleeves.

Western Health encourages all residents to get the H1N1 vaccine. as immunization is the best protection. All residents will have access to the vaccine, and the schedule for the week of Nov. 9 will be available later this week. If anyone has a question, please call the Provincial Health Line at 1-888-709-2929.