Flu plan: Keep vaccinating; emergency debate in Ottawa
November 2, 2009
Theresa Boyle
STAFF REPORTER
With cases of H1N1 on the rise, Ontario is stepping up its response by calling in retired nurses, opening more than 30 flu assessment centres where sick people can get medical help and doubling the number of vaccination clinics, saying 2.2 million Ontarians will be immunized by week's end.
Health Minister Deb Matthews said at a news conference Monday the plan is to administer the vaccine until "our fridge is empty."
The province is looking at setting up clinics in schools and workplaces after a chaotic start to the vaccination process.
Matthews has signed a special order allowing doctors to bill OHIP for telephone consultations. Normally they can bill the public health system only if they see a patient in person.
Health officials acknowledge there were problems with the vaccine rollout last week and are trying to make things run smoother.
Matthews says the number of flu shot clinics across the province has doubled from 50 to 100.
Dr. Arlene King, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, says 20 flu assessment centres are being set up in some communities to relieve pressure on doctors' offices, so people with cough and fever can get medical advice on whether to go home and rest or go to a doctor or hospital, and another 11 of the assessment centres will open by Wednesday.
There have been 31 confirmed H1N1 deaths and 82 people are in hospital with swine flu in Ontario. Tests are pending on whether a 32nd person — a child — died from the virus.
In Ottawa, House of Commons Speaker Peter Milliken agreed today to a request by the federal Liberals and NDP to hold an emergency debate tonight.
They say it's needed because of a shortage of H1N1 vaccine, long line-ups at overcrowded clinics, and widespread confusion.
Critics accused the Harper government of incompetence in its handling of the health crisis.
Opposition MPs peppered the Conservatives with questions in the Commons, asking why there has been such confusion given that the government said months ago that it was prepared.
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Lineups shrink Monday
Toronto Public Health's registration system kicked in Monday morning, leaving some H1N1 vaccination clinics empty as people who registered early then went elsewhere to await the 1 p.m. openings. Full Story
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