Residents considered lower risk for H1N1 flu complications must wait until December to receive their vaccines, according to an updated report from Vancouver Coastal Health.
Although the clinics were initially expected to be open to the general public by mid-November, Squamish residents who are healthy, non-native and older than five years old likely won't get their shots until early December when clinics receive more supplies, said VCH spokesperson Anna Marie D'Angelo.
"Who we want to inoculate first are the people that are most at risk of serious complications to their health," she said. "These are the people we want to get protected first for their own benefit and for everyone's benefit."
VCH public health officer Dr. Paul Martiquet said they initially received less vaccine than was anticipated but it is being distributed as efficiently as possible.
"We're rolling out the vaccine as quickly as we get it so it's not languishing," he said, adding that there will be enough for all Squamish residents to complete inoculations by Christmas.
Hundreds of residents waited hours in line at Brennan Park Leisure Centre drop-in clinics this week to receive the first wave of vaccinations. More than 1,000 people, including teary-eyed children ages sixth months to five years, were vaccinated over four days Monday to Thursday (Nov. 2 to 5). The shots were also available to pregnant women, First Nations people, and those under the age of 65 with chronic illnesses like diabetes and asthma.
There have been instances of people attempting to "jump the cue," but residents are being co-operative for the most part, said D'Angelo.
"It doesn't take a public health nurse too many questions before she can ascertain whether you've had a lifelong illness."
Parents are braving the long line-ups with their young children knowing they may have to return a few more times for themselves and their older children. Parent with children five years old and under are being told they will have to return for a booster shot unless notified otherwise.
Mother of five, Suzanne Wright, waited in line for an hour on Tuesday evening before being told her five and three-year-olds weren't going to make the front of the line before the clinic closed. She returned to Brennan Park for the 11 a.m. clinic the following day at 8:45 a.m., armed with a plastic picnic table, books and games for her kids.
She said she didn't debate about getting her children inoculated despite high profile debates about the vaccination. However, she is worried for her older kids, ages eight to 14, who will have to wait to receive their shots. Especially since young, healthy people have been significantly affected by H1N1.
She referred to 13-year-old Ontario hockey player Evan Frustaglio, who died recently of the H1N1 virus.
"You feel guilty immunizing the little ones when it's the older age group that just passed away. It's scary and you feel bad immunizing half your kids," she said.
Meanwhile, elementary and high school students are feeling the influx of fluish symptoms. The average absenteeism rate for the school district is 16.2 per cent, with 10 per cent estimated to be from influenza/H1N1, according to superintendent Rick Erickson. The yearly norm for absenteeism is approximately five per cent.
Erickson said it is difficult to estimate the number of students infected by H1N1 because most are not officially diagnosed. However, he said flu-like symptoms are most likely a result of H1N1.
The school district will continue to monitor absenteeism rates while schools report to the health department whenever rates exceed 10 per cent. The health department will advise if school closures are needed.
The drop-in clinics continue Monday (Nov. 9) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday (Nov. 10) from 3 to 7 p.m., Thursday (Nov. 12) from 2 to 6 p.m. and Friday (Nov. 13) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vaccinations are still restricted to pregnant women, First Nations people, those under the age of 65 with chronic illnesses and children six months to five years old.
The final scheduled drop-ins run Monday (Nov. 16) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday (Nov. 17) from 3 to 7 p.m., Wednesday (Nov. 18) from noon to 4 p.m. and Thursday (Nov. 19) from 2 to 6 p.m.
For more information visit immunizebc.ca.
