Nova Scotia H1N1 Vaccine Groups Expanded

Health Promotion and Protection

Nova Scotia’s H1N1 vaccination campaign has been expanded to include three new groups, Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief public health officer, announced today, Nov. 10.People in the following groups will now be eligible to receive H1N1 vaccine:

— people younger than 65 with chronic medical conditions
— people living with, or providing care in the home for, infants less than six months of age, people living with those at high-risk who cannot be immunized (for example, those with anaphylaxis or severe egg allergies), and those who are immunocompromised and may not respond to vaccine;
— people who work in residential-care facilities, community-based option and small-option homes, group homes and developmental residences.

The following groups are still eligible to be immunized:
— pregnant women, and women up to four weeks postpartum and their partner
— women who have just given birth, and their partner
— children aged six months to younger than five years old
— children 19 or younger with chronic medical conditions for which they receive regular medical attention, including morbid obesity
— people living on First Nations communities
— health-care workers in district health authorities, long-term care facilities and home-care agencies who provide direct care to patients. This includes family physicians, family practice nurses, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

“If you’re in one of these priority groups, I urge you to get vaccinated against H1N1 as soon as possible,” said Dr. Strang. “If you’re not, I again ask for your patience and your understanding.”

The province’s goal continues to be to protect those most vulnerable and decisions are based on nationally agreed upon target groups, epidemiology, the quantity of vaccine available and delivery logistics.

“In addition, Public Health Services in the district health authorities are working with physicians over the next few days to find ways to involve them in the vaccination of these groups,” said Dr. Strang.

Nova Scotians are reminded that clinics will not be open tomorrow, Nov. 11, Remembrance Day. District health authorities will now offer clinics six days a week.

The province will also offer vaccine to more people, based on risk, as soon as supply allows.

For a fact sheet with details on the new groups eligible for vaccination, visit www.gov.ns.ca/h1n1 , or call HealthLink 811.