Push is on to inoculate everyone against H1N1
November 19, 2009
Theresa Boyle
Emily Mathieu
Public health officials say they are disappointed over provincial estimates showing only 40 to 45 per cent of Ontarians plan to get the H1N1 vaccine, and are making a big push for everyone to get the shot now that it is widely available.
"That for me right now is our big challenge, convincing people that the right thing to do for themselves and people around them is to get the vaccine," Health Minister Deb Matthews said Wednesday.
She announced the vaccine would be available to all Ontarians – not just high-risk groups – on Thursday. In the GTA, public health units in Toronto, York, Durham and Halton opened their doors to everyone Wednesday, with Peel following suit Thursday.
In the last three weeks, 2.5 million Ontarians – or about 21 per cent of the province's 12 million-plus population – have received the shot. The province is aiming for 75 per cent coverage.
Public health officials have reported that flu activity has already peaked in some areas of the province, including Peel, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara and Kingston.
Dr. Arlene King, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, said people should not interpret that as the threat of H1N1 waning. "I want to remind everyone that flu season lasts all winter long ... We cannot afford to lower our guard," she warned, adding the virus is still active and people are getting sick.
Currently, 213 Ontarians are in hospital with H1N1, 82 of them in intensive care units. Since April, the virus has contributed to 76 deaths and caused increased absenteeism in schools and businesses.
King acknowledged the pandemic has not been as bad as feared, partly because of public health measures taken from the start, such as encouraging people to cough into their sleeves, wash their hands frequently and use hand sanitizer
While lineups at flu clinics had been dwindling in recent days, they started up again in some parts of the GTA on Wednesday as the vaccination was made available to the general public.
Toronto Star