Updated: Mon Nov. 02 2009 16:12:23

ctvbc.ca

As thousands of British Columbians face big waits to get their H1N1 vaccinations, private medical clinics are being accused of allowing people to jump the queue and get their shot early in exchange for a fee.

While lineups at clinics in West Vancouver and Kelowna reached up to 500 people Monday, the 'fee for service' Copeman Health Care Centre in Vancouver offered the vaccine to its highest risk patients -- with no wait.

Critics with the B.C. Health Coalition says anything that allows people to jump the queue because they can afford to pay is against the rules.

"This is totally unacceptable," coordinator Lew MacDonald said.

"We have a situation where people are able to access health care on the basis of their ability to pay and not on the basis of need. Provincial health legislation is clear."

Clinic founder Don Copeman says that's not happening. Even though his patients pay an annual membership of $3,900, he says anyone ineligible to receive the vaccine can't skip the line at his office.

"We go completely by the books," he told CTV News.

"Even if we had a method of accessing the vaccine in the shortage we as an organization would never think of giving it to anyone other than those with the highest risks first."

Copeman said they may have an advantage over regular doctor's offices because they can access who is high risk through their database.

"We're in frequent communication with our clients and keeping them up to date with information and who is next in terms of availability," he said.

Under fire

Opposition health critic Adrian Dix raised the issue in Question Period in Victoria Monday, saying the Copeman clinic is providing what he calls privileged access to the vaccine.

He asked how it makes sense at the time of a vaccine shortage to provide some of the vaccine supply to a clinic where -- in his words -- "you have to pay to play."

Health Minister Kevin Falcon says the clinic his getting the flu vaccine under the same conditions as any other doctor's office. Premier Gordon Campbell is also defending the clinic.

"The fact of the matter is we need to use the entire health service delivery model that we've got," he said.  "I think that what's important is for people who are vulnerable to be cared for."

But Lew MacDonald said even if the clinic is only serving its high-risk patients, having to pay for private services is a barrier to health care access.

"It's not good enough to simply say that we will provide access to our members who fit the criteria, i.e., those who can pay," he said.

"All British Columbians must get access to health care based on need and not on the ability to pay."

Word on the street

CTV's Stephen Smart spoke with people waiting for their vaccines in West Vancouver Monday.

One man said he doesn't feel bad about patients at private clinics skipping the queue to receive their vaccine.

"The amount relative to Canada's population is a proverbial drop in the bucket," he said.

"These people pay a large fee. The wealthy can go anywhere over the world and get whatever they want. This is the way the world works."

Another woman saw the situation quite differently.

"I don't like people that jump lines so I don't think I'd do it. It undermines the whole system."

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Stephen Smart and files from The Canadian Press

Please Add Comments(4)

Jim-Surrey
Sounds like the gov't should have mailed each household their vaccine instead of this procedure!

Michael C
Not a story. Demand is going to create lineups; a public clinic is going to have far more clients that a private clinic, hence longer linups.

RC
If anyone out there really thinks that second class citizens are going to get a seat on the life boat when the ship goes down.

I got some ocean front property in Saskatchewan I'd like to sell you.

RC

Sue
As a patient of the Copeman Clinic let me tell you that the vaccine hasn't been offered to any of us non-priority people as of yet. And if GP's are giving it out in their offices, why would I not be allowed to get it at my GP at Copeman?