Three to Four Day Supply of H1N1 Vaccine

Josh Pringle
Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Ottawa Public Health insists it is committed to vaccinating as "many residents as they can" and creating capacity in the health care system.

But Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches warns the city only has enough supply of the H1N1 flu vaccine to last three to four more days.

Public Health has 50-thousand doses remaining in its fridge, and hopes to receive another shipment of the H1N1 vaccine later this week.

Dr. Etches said Monday that while there “will be enough vaccine” for all Canadians, the limited supply of the vaccine in the coming weeks means Public Health will only be able to vaccinate people on the high-risk, priority list.

Long line-ups continue to greet residents lining up to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine at the City of Ottawa's vaccination clinics.

Dr. Etches says the wristband policy has allowed public health to ease the line-ups for people wanting to get vaccinated at the clinics set up across the capital.

Effective immediately, public health says anyone lining up for a bracelet will have their wristband attached to their wrist, along with extra bands for family members in the priority groups.

Ottawa Public Health has administered 80-thousand H1N1 flu shots over the past week. Dr. Etches says that's the same number of people vaccinated during an entire flu season.

Ottawa residents are being urged to respect the priority list for people to receive the H1N1 flu shot first, including pregnant women, health care workers and people with chronic medical conditions.

The city plans to open flu assessment centres for people who have flu-like symptoms and don't have family doctors later this week.

The complete list for H1N1 clinics and wait times can be checked on the City of Ottawa's website.