Updated: Mon Nov. 02 2009 18:41:34

CTV.ca News Staff

As Canada's largest-ever immunization campaign enters its second week, lower-risk Canadians are being asked to step aside so the most vulnerable to swine flu can continue to get their shot first.

This had been the day that most provinces had planned to start offering the vaccine to everyone, not just those at high risk of complications from the flu, such as those who are pregnant, have asthma, diabetes or another chronic illness.

But with demand much higher than expected among those groups, and shortages expected, officials in most provinces have decided to keep the focus on high-risk groups before turning to the general population.

Many clinics are screening patients looking for the vaccine, to ensure they really are high-risk, and asking parents who bring along young children to not get the vaccine themselves if they are otherwise healthy.

Pregnant women are also included in the high risk group, and the Public Health Agency of Canada announced Monday that it would roll out the first doses of a special vaccine for them.

Officials expect to give out 225,000 doses of the vaccine for pregnant women by the end of the week.

Until now, most provinces agreed not to turn anyone away, especially since many were waiting hours in line with others at high risk. But with shortages expected, that approach is changing.

While Alberta first chose to vaccinate anyone who showed up at flu shot clinics, that led to the temporary closures of some clinics, because of shortages. So now, health officials say they will concentrate on immunizing only high-risk groups.

Ontario is imposing similar restrictions. But Ontario's chief medical officer, Dr. Arlene King, acknowledges that people won't have to prove they're at high risk and clinics will essentially operate on the honour system.

Restrictions will be stiffer in Nova Scotia. That province has ruled that people under age 65 with chronic health conditions are no longer considered in the high-risk category. Only pregnant women, children under five years old, First Nations communities and health-care workers will be eligible for the vaccine. Everyone will be turned away for now, until the vaccine shortage eases.

In P.E.I., only half of the expected vaccine doses for this week have arrived. With the province running dry, four clinics will be given the remaining vaccine to children six months to school-entry age, as well as to household contacts of children less than six months.

Production slowdown to last a week

The restrictions are being implemented because vaccine maker GlaxoSmithKline has announced it will only be able to produce about 400,000 doses of the vaccine this week instead of the million or so doses expected.

Adjuvant is an additive in a vaccine to boost the immune system. The World Health Organization had earlier told pregnant women to avoid the adjuvant because it had not been widely tested in pregnant women. On Friday, it told pregnant women to get whichever vaccine is soonest available.

Canada ordered 1.8 million doses of the vaccine from the vaccine manufacturer. This caused the shortage of the regular vaccine.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq explained to Canada AM that GSK had underestimated how much the changeover from manufacturing the regular vaccine to the unadjuvanted one would choke supply.

"GlaxoSmithKline overestimated their ability to produce the adjuvanted vaccine while they focus on unadjuvanted vaccine," she said Monday.

"That vaccine will be distributed. The following week we expect to be back to the normal production and that vaccine will continue to flow to the provinces and territories."

The minister added that while it was federal health officials who devised the guidelines that selected those who should get the vaccine first, how the vaccine gets into the arms of Canadians is up to the provinces.

"Ultimately, at the end of the day, the provinces and territories decide who they will distribute their vaccine to, for their rollout plans," she said.

Aglukkaq made similar comments to CTV's Question Period on Sunday, adding she was still confident that every Canadian who wants the vaccine will be able to get it by December.

"We have to have this government take responsibility and help the provinces and territories and not blame them and say 'it's not my department'" Liberal MP Dr. Carolyn Bennett said in an interview on CTV News Channel.

Some infectious disease experts worry December may be too late, since this fall's "second wave" of H1N1 is expected to last only a few weeks.

Others, such as Dr. Michael Gardam, Director of Infection, Prevention & Control at the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion disagree. He notes that while there has been a lot of flu activity in B.C. and case numbers are ramping up in parts of Ontario, "other parts of the country are just beginning to see an increase in cases.

"So it's still going to be spread out over many months. I think if people can still get their shots in a few weeks from now, depending on where they live, it's certainly doing it," he told Canada AM Monday.

Even if flu activity peaks, the virus will still be out there for a while yet. And, notably, he said, it isn't mutating, despite Internet rumours to the contrary.

"This strain has been remarkably stable throughout the world. We're still dealing with the same virus we were dealing with back in April," Gardam said.

Emergency debate on Parliament Hill

In an emergency debate in Ottawa requested by opposition MPs, critics blasted the federal government on the long lineups and the shortage.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff called the government incompetent, saying the government has released confusing information about the H1N1 vaccine which is "a source of enormous anxiety among Canadian families."

Aglukkaq responded by saying there will still be vaccines for those who want it.

Earlier in the day 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.

"Six million doses were produced ahead of schedule. As soon as they were available and authorized, they were transferred to the provinces and territories for their rollout. We will see thousands more this week and a million more next week," said Aglukkaq.

"They need a clear communications strategy from the government in terms of clear and unambiguous messages," Bennett told CTV News Channel.

Referring to Aglukkaq's statement in parliament that public health officials have done hundreds of media interviews on the issue, Bennet said they were not enough in the wake of the public's confusion.

"That cannot substitute for a public awareness campaign that should've happened all summer," she said.

CTV News Channel invited members from the Conservative party to participate in the discussion but they declined.

Comments are now closed for this story

Doug Ragan
"He notes that while there has been a lot of flu activity in B.C. and case numbers are ramping up in parts of Ontario, "other parts of the country are just beginning to see an increase in cases." So, thank you very much B.C., will get it right elsewhere.

Ronnie Canuck
And just who exactly are "high risk?"

SpinMeNot
The Federal Goverment, the Provincial Governments and the health workers deserve our praise and gratitude for the planning they have done and their quick reation to solving delivery problems in real time. We are ahead of other nations in per capita innoculations to date thanks to their competence and hard work. It's hard to believe that some members of the main stream media are treating them like dirt to increase their own profits and advance the cause of the political party they support.

Susan B
Aglukkaq is a broken record for the government, they may as well have sent a puppet on a string. She couldn't admit that the whole thing is in chaos- does she think we are stupid? Shame on her for not admitting the problem. She obviously can't control everything but the least she could do is share in our frustration!!!!

Doug
Ontario is only vaccinating high risk people but are not asking for proof of high profile status?They are using the honour system??????Typical politically correct ontario where the selfish non risk low lifes gets vaccinated while honest decent Ontarians do the right thing and stay home so con artists can go to the head of the line?.

Lz in Edmonton
"GlaxoSmithKline overestimated their ability to produce the adjuvanted vaccine while they focus on unadjuvanted vaccine," she said Monday.Hum, this is just one of the main culprits of this. Second is the advertising by the Health regions to get the message out: "Get the Flu SHOT!" If this was a SARS type pandemic, I think this clearly shows that we, as a country, or for that matter, the world, is totally ill prepared for a real emergency. The order of importance in any pandemic is as follows: Health Care Workers, Police/Fire/Ambulance, then cronic illness patients, Children/Pregnant Women/schools, then the general public. I hope governments and health policy makers LEARN from this as they did of SARS in Ontario. Unfortunately, I fear they won't.

Anna
I am so disappointed with the Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq explanaition...in fact, she didn't answer any of Bev's questions...very irritating, especially when we all are waiting for some answers...unfortunatelly it is also so tipical of them...very sad...I would like to understand why GSK will be switching focus to making special batches of vaccine without adjuvant that's recommended for pregnant women and young children since many individuals (including my 6m old baby girl) under this group have already taken the adjuvanted version of the vaccine... I was under the impression there are enough data supporting this vaccine to be safe for children and pregnant woman...if so, why even bother? shouldn't they be making to support the demand?Perhaps someone can explain to us what one should believe in now...but silly me...what am I thinking?...we will never get any answer to this question either...Confused NewMom

happy one
I am weary just hearing about it. The media hasn't helped the situation. The oppostion is just making anyone and everyone panic., do we really need this. This 'me first 'mentanlity in Canada is not attractive. I will wait for my shot, it wont be long.

jane
What did provincia/federall governments expect! Between health officials and the media, a mass panic has been created with no real plan in place to manage it. As I high risk individual (asthma, COPD, etc) I tried 4 times in the past week to get a shot. No luck. Line ups were hours long. I certainley avoid emergency rooms and other areas were there is potential for catching illness, I sure as hell am not going to stand in a flu line up. This whole "panic" has been poorly managed and those of us who need to get a shot cant get it!

Rose
Bravo to you Beverly. My husband and I were very impressed with your approach, your honestly and how direct you were with the Minister of Health today. Finally, someone has stood up to these people. The government should be embarrassed with the lack of involvement and genuine care for Canadians.

Samual
Harper should make a public announcement apologizing for their incompetence and step down.

Daniel Young
I agree that health workers deserve credit for their work to date. But governments have mismanged this file - they have largely contributed to the panic. They have fallen short on the communications front. The supply of the vaccine is now being questioned. And the distribution system is largely flawed. Also, why are the most vulnerable being asked to make their way to vaccination centres. Why not the reverse? Could we not set up a system, for example, where kids get innoculated at their schools? Just askin' ....

Liz
"Only pregnant women, children under five years old, First Nations communities and health-care workers will be eligible for the vaccine."CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES ARE HIGH RISK?!?!?!?!?! Get a grip people! So much for equality! This is just downright disgusting.

Rose New
Spin Me Not is exactly right about this thing. The Medical Community is dealing with "real time" situations with this H1N1 flu. I suggest you listen to "Doctor's" comments, not reporters. Politicians that are trying to make hay out of this are certainly not helping.

Jane
Aren't young healthy adults high risk since this virus hits the young & healthy

Can someone answer these questions?
Why would vaccines not be made available at all OB offices for pregnant women? Why can GP offices not all have been given vaccines and have nursing staff administer based on physicians OK to give based on high risk status by appointment? I see these long line ups and cannot believe these methods are not available. Let's have even more people join together in lines and civic centres to pass more germs to one another! I would love to see those making the decisionss out there waiting for 6 hours while pregnant at 7 months with 2 youngs kids who are asthmatic.

kg1
Once agian you only focus on the negative actions of a few provinces. In Saskatchewan, it has been well known that high risk patients get the vaccine first. No 7 hour line-ups, no closures of clinics. Was there any mention of that, no!As well, Ontario gave out 3000 vaccines to a private clinic for those who are willing to pay for it! What the heck is that about? I blame the govt and the media for the scare/hype that is surrounding a flu virus. Way to blow things way out of proportion

Lorne
I am so pissed off right now at all the selfish people who were not high risk who got the shot. My wife is 5 1/2 months pregnant and daughter is only 2, and in our region the clinics are not allowed to give shots to pregnant women, while our doctor did not receive any due to the shortage.If you are healthy STOP TAKING FROM THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST!!!

Sean Bucholz
Last night's news story about the vaccine shortages had David Jones-Butler saying that he was surprised at the mad dash to flu clinics.How can you say you're surprised at this??? Have you not been on the news every day pumping fear into the minds of Canadians, saying that you want to see every Canadian vaccinated? Has this virus not been in the media practically every day since it first arose in Mexico? People are afraid of a pandemic because they have been told that this is it, the virus that is going to spread worldwide killing millions. As the chief public health officer for Canada, he should be taking the blame for the shortages due to the contagion of fear in this country. His face has been on the news pressuring Canadians to get the vaccine more than anyone. Shame on you David Jones-Butler. Shame on you.

Sal.
Duh, about time - I thought that is what was supposed to happen. I am a third week person and it never occurred to me to go ahead.My husband is supposed to be getting his H1N1 immunization last week, but there is no way he is able to stand in a line for 1 hour, let alone 6 - that is why he is called high risk - he has multiple health issues..... If he gets the H1N1 flu, he will probably die, as he already has lung issues. I hope that others understand that they will become murders, should the first week people be unable to get their immunization, get sick, and die!!!!!!What is wrong with people!

Jeff
Let's be fair, what can the Fed. do? they shipped out the vaccine as planned to the provinces. It's put provincial and Municiple government did a bad job on delivering here. Why can't they just do it in schools and give some to the family doctors? Also, let's face it, the 1st shipment of the vaccine was meant for the "high risk" group while there were some many ppl they were not in the group went to get their vaccine which left less supply for the "high risk" group.

Sal
For Ronnie Canuck, and others who have not been reading the news - High risk are those with compromised immune systems - lung problems, recovering cancer people, MS, etc.Maybe this is a good time to discover Google, so you don't have to embaras yourself with such a stupid question.I am an annoyed wife of a man who should have rec'd the immunization the first week, but could not, due to the line-up's of worried healthy people.High risk are the ones that will most likely die due to the natural inability to fight off infection - if they cut their finger, it takes forever to heal - for example.Educate yourself General Public!!!

hutch
Oh well, another "panic attack" handled in the usual ineffictive manner. Stir up the masses by the media and then backtrack. Big Pharma is laughing all the way to the bank!

CG
Yea if it is free, Canada lines up and then complains that it is the Government's fault. If people would take care of themselves and WASH THEIR HANDS we would not be in this mess to begin with when you think about it. I was at the David Copperfield show last night and most of the women leaving the ladies room DID NOT WASH THEIR HANDS !!!! Sure it may be a small thing, but really people -- good hygiene is a practice that will promote or preserve good health. It is just so sad that so many people around the world on not ... well ... clean.

Can someone answer these questions?
Kids under 5 years - do we not register births in each province? Do we not have disability benefits which would ID high risk patients? Why not employee some people during this recession and have them contact those parents / people and get a yes/no if they want vaccine and mail a pass for vaccine to hand over at a flu clinic? Just a thought to streamline this process. We knew this was coming for months!

Min with MS Asthma Diabetes and thyroid
it is pretty bad when you ask high risk people, pregnant people, caregivers and health care workers to line up for the shot. smaller clinics just for these people should have been set up so that priority was given.Like a trauma exercise, tag everyone coming through the door 1- high risk2-moderate risk1-low risk.all 1's get done NO matter what2 and 3 only if they care for a 1 or if there is stuff left.

George
I have noticed that all those defending the position (and venting about those healthy individuals getting the shot before high risk) that high risk individuals should get the shot first have been getting thumbs down.I had to take a look out the window to make sure we weren't living in 1930s Soviet Union. The decision is sound. There wouldn't have been the chaos last week if those who didn't fall into the "high risk" profile had used their grade 6 reading skills and stayed away until directed to come in. Instead, healthy individuals are standing in line ahead of high risk ones and then in some cases being happily interviewed on t.v., the radio, or in the paper. Meanwhile, some high risk person (or parent) is stressing about being turned away.Way to go guys...just keep putting yourselves first. You'll find Karma can be a real bear to deal with when it comes knocking.

Cara B, NS
One thing that isn't making sense to me: If the shortage is being caused by GSK having to switch production to non-adjuvanted vaccine for pregnant women and small children, then why is all the vaccine with adjuvant that we have now being given to pregnant women and small children? Isn't that somewhat contradictory?

cmt
Oh ya..the honor system!!!Give me a break, we all know the only ones who can get to a clinic at the ridiculous times they start (here in Kitchener at 2p ) will be those that don't hold a job! Then by the time to rest of us can get there we will be turned away.Yes I am in the high risk category, and my doctor is not participating..so will I get the shot..who knows. I am sure that if there was high risk only I might.But I do have a question...why is it the aboriginals are of high risk!! Should they not follow the same rules as everyone else...or maybe its because our health minister is aboriginal??

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
@ Lorne, Why be so offended at people who were misinformed. Why not question the our health minister's lack of educating the public properly.Here's the latest government snafu. I just heard that the inmates at Dorchester Penitentiary are getting their shots, but the guards aren't allowed to get theirs in the same way. Are htere any correctional officers out there that can confirm this?

For Liz
Liz typed..."CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES ARE HIGH RISK?!?!?!?!?! "WOW! Do a little more research sweetheart before you add an extremely uneducated and embarassing (for you) comment like that!Now read carefully Liz! Much like all the unknowns with regards to the H1N1 virus, there are also some portions that we do know. For some reason, 1st Nations people are much, much more succeptable to serious complications once infected with this flu. Hence, they are (rightfully) considered "high-risk"!No, I am not native! I am 100% white as I would imagine Liz is as well. I understand that everyone is concerned, I am for sure, but what we can't do nor accept is to allow "from-the-hip" remarks against others for which they don't deserve!Do some more research Liz then your apology will be that much more accepted!

PP
Dear Liz:The reason why First Nations people are in a high risk catagory is that they are generally isolated from the rest of the population and thus have not been exposed to much of the viruses that the rest of us have had.This is why they were decimated when Europeans came over from Europe in the first place. (small pox, influenza, etc... ) they never had these viruses in their populations.Think about it - they live for the most part on Reservations / or in isolated communities away from the general population. It only takes one person from outside to bring in a Flu to infect them. Add to this the fact that for the most part they are also at high risk because of a prevalence of obesity, diabetis, unhealthy eating and lack of health care and over crowding - well that just makes for REALLY serious scenario. Thus they are really at a high risk.

Ani Ibi
This is not to accuse, nor to panic folks. But we ALL have to step up and solve this together.1. SPREAD The public is getting much info on Prevention (handwashing, staying home if sick, getting the vaccination) but not much info on Spread.I asked Public Health to open up on Spread and to involve the public fully in terms of teamwork.a) There are not enuf health workers to get the job done. Government must hire more health workers and the public needs to volunteer for things which can be easily done with little or no training.b) We need to see the use of masks and gloves as normal for everyone who leaves their home. We need aggressive education on this. And we need to get masks and gloves into the hands of those who can't afford them.c) Companies need to make special provisions to help employees who do not have sick leave. Otherwise, folks are not going to get their shots -- or worse, folks are going to be coming into work sick.d) We need to have handwashing stations and gloved and masked clerks in grocery stores (particularly at produce and meat).e) I have given government a 2-day deadline to announce a decision to send nursing agencies into the homes to give H1N1 shots to the disabled who are visited by (hi-risk) home nurses, PSWs, social workers, etc.2. PREVENTIONHealth care workers are slipping through the cracks in terms of getting their shots. PSWs in particular cant afford to take 6.5 hrs off work to line up for shots. I have asked that aggressive measures be taken to accommodate health care workers, perhaps even travelling clinics.

John from Saskatoon
If we are having a Swine -Flu Pandemic , what are we going to do about the hordes of people coming for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Maybe they will bring more of it into the country. Are we going to immunize them to . Along with Swine Flu & the Sea to Sky Highway what happens if the weather is bad and causes avalanches, this could end up causing a very costly Winter Olympics , which the taxpayers will end up paying for.Has anybody at Vanoc considered any of the above

Jackie
Interesting list of 'high risk' chronic conditions- the Toronto Star has an article today saying a woman was turned away even though she has diabetes.No wonder everyone's confused!!!!

Li
They are saying the shortage this week was because of the unadjuvanted vaccine. But that isnt available this week either!

Pete in Waterloo
I do not understand the vaccine shortage. Last week, the manufacturer said it had shipped 2 million doses every week for the past 3 weeks. Where are all those doses of vaccine?Telling people to see their family doctor for the vaccine is BS in Ontario. My wife saw our doctor last week and was informed that the doctor will be receiving only 50 doses at a time. The doctor has to use all 50 before she is permitted to order more. Our doctor estimates she has at least 500 patients who fit into the high risk category alone.

Tori
I live in a smaller community in NS. We had huge lineups last week and people from our community were turned away while healthy low risk people received the vaccine. Worst is most were from a much larger city.Now here I am scheduled to be given chemo in 2 weeks, was told to get the flu shot this week so I had it done. Now I am no longer considered a high risk and will not be allowed to have my flu vaccines....Lets face it, this vaccination was done wrong to begin with. I would like to know what cancer patients are suppose to do now. Wait, til when? As far as I know anyone undergoing chemo cannot have the vaccine. I guess I will have to isolate myself for the next 6 months and hope that everyone around me does the right thing and gets their vaccines.GL to all of the other residents of Canada. I hope you get your shots as needed and they don't happen too late to allow you to remain healthy over this active flu season.

Alfred
Leona Aglukkaq sounded like she was caught in a time warp repeating the same scripted response over and over. ...not good

C from NS
In Nova Scotia, there are news reports that our prison inmate population is being vaccinated ahead of children, people with chronic health conditions and even the guards. Proof that the officials making decisions have 0 common sense.

Roger T
Not to be sound or be selfish but as a TAX PAYER EVERYONE who pays tax should be eligable to get the shot on a first come first bases NO PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ANYONE. FAIR FOR ALL TAX PAYING CITIZENS!

Gwt the vaccine
kg1...There is not a problem with line ups in Saskatchewan because there have been no public H1N1 clinics yet. Supposedly health care workers are getting their shots today. At least the other provinces started vaccinating while Saskachewan just sat there and did nothing.

Sandy
My husband and I ; who both have heart disease went to a public clinic yesterday and received our H1N1 shot. There was no line up and very few people when we were there. Stations of nurses were actually waiting for people to come in.

Anne
If the vaccine had been delivered to all family doctors, they could have handled the 'at risk' people in short order. It is also appalling at how many of those were in line who should not have been there at this time. Very selfish. Increasing the number of actual places where one could go for the shot would also be beneficial. No one should be expecting children up to age 5 to stand in lineups for hours.

reidjr
Roger T
You really think those at the high risk should nto be given first chance.

Jim in Ottawa
I am satisified with the federal and provincial government's work in helping distribute the vaccine to our citizens. I am also satisified with GlaxoSmithKline and especially the health care workers who have worked tirelessly to provide the services to get us to this point.But I am very disappointed in my fellow Ontarians and fellow Canadians who have jumped the queue to get ahead of those groups identified as high-risk. These people have (a) comprimised their own immune systems through their panic and (b) potentially exposed themselves and others to seasonal flus and colds by overcrowding the clinics when they were not supposed to be there until after the high-risk people had been administered their dose first. And of course (c) comprimised the very lives of the high-risk candidates by jumping the queue and taking the vaccine intended for them.This is not the Canadian way, people.

Inkmont
Oh, the clinics just caught on? If they had done the right thing in the first place and treated people according to health priority, we wouldn't be in this mess now.

Westerner
Well not to say how old I am BUT vaccines were given in school and that's where it should start for young children. At the same time docotors offices should stock the vacinne for Pregnant Women because they are already on the list for seeing their Doctors. Walk in clinics should stock it for Pregnant Teens and the Nursing Homes/Seniors Centres having it available for the Elderly. Then the rest of us "healthy adults" can fall into place with back up medication using "Tamaflu" available at the Pharmacy by Doctors Prescrition.

Lorne
RogerT: "Not to be sound or be selfish but as a TAX PAYER EVERYONE who pays tax should be eligable to get the shot on a first come first bases NO PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ANYONE. FAIR FOR ALL TAX PAYING CITIZENS!"RogerT, if you or I contract H1N1 (I assume you are not "high risk, and I am not high risk") then we would probably be fine, just like with the regular flu. However, if someone high risk contracts it, there is higher potential for hospitalization and long-term complications. So while people like yourself are getting the shot because "It is your right as a taxpayer blah blah blah" high risk people are not getting their shot.This is not an anti-taxpayer issue or right wing/left wing political statement. This is pure manners. Whatever happened to the saying "women and children first"?

Whatever
And what about people that say they are from our community and come from another district. I know of someone who is high risk and should get it, but is not from this area. So that person is taking the place of someone who lives here and may need it also. There is no honour system that really works, people will do what they have to so they can get what they want when it works for them.

Roger T
reidjrsaid 0 0 Roger TYou really think those at the high risk should nto be given first chance....YES, I, you or ANY TAX PAYERS would want to sacrafice my shot to anyone else because as a TAX PAYER EVERYONE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE SAME opportunity to get it on a first come first bases. It would be a different scenerio if the health or Gov't officials as the public first on their opinion since WE ALL PAY INTO THE SYSTEM, at least give TAX PAYERS the choice and not making it for us. It's should be a choice and not forced upon. FAIR TO ALL TAX PAYING CITIZENS.

Dado
What was Saskatchewan doing last week, sleeping maybe?

Liz
For PP and For LizWhat about the rest of the unhealthy population? What about the people recovering from cancer? How can you isolate a whole community of individuals and rate them at high risk while at the same time denying the flu shot to unhealthy white or black or Asian people and for that matter children ages 5 and up. They should definitely be high risk. This is blatant discrimination and I find it absolutely appalling .

PP
Dear Roger T: The reason high risk persons are given the vaccine first is so they will not become seriously ill, end up in hospital and COSTING us tax payers LOTS of MONEY to save their lives. High Risk doesn't mean you are more at risk of getting the FIu - it means if you get it you are AT A HIGHER RISK OF GETTING SERIOUSLY ILL - thus costing the health cares system millions in hospitalization and possibly ending in death. Sheesh - people - please educate yourselves on healthcare procedures and policies and infection control.... I want those people vaccinated first so they don't clog our hospitals with serious illness and costing expensive tax dollars.

CYL
another blunder !!! these high-paid frauds who cannot get their act together. Sorry, I won't be going to a crowded clinic which is high-risk, just to get jabbed in the arm. Besides they have not said if there are any long-term or side effects.

Annoyed
Well at least the rest of the Canadian provinces did not include local junior 'A' hockey team and local municipal officals (and famlies) in there high risk catagory like Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Not only were these people the first to be vaccinated they were pararded on satge in front of those wating hours to receive their own vaccination. Did I also mention none of these "high risk" indidvduals waited in line.

Just Blame Someone
You've gotta have someone to blame. Afterall, you can't go through life being responsible for anything yourself! To the thousands of non-highrisk, selfish, self serving who got in line this past week, blame yourselves for long lineups and an unneccessary demand on the vaccine. Not since 1976 has there been such an educated, misinformed public panic. Just google swine flu 1976. Teh government is as pathetic, now blaming the vaccine manufacturers. They no doubt will blame travel companies for letting people go to Mexico last year, afterall its' someones fault isn't it? Relax, the current death rate on planet earth is 100%, so you'll die from something at no fault of your own.

Insider
What happened to the non-adj we bought from Austrailia 200,000 doses?

Why won't the drug companies give "on-camera" interviews?

Why haven't the GPs bought into this pandemic?, how much does each doctor get from OHIP for each injection?, obviously not enough for them to join in!

Why won't Public Health officails allow nurses to use different sized needles for patients? Did you know that they must use adult sized needles for infants?

Why did McGinty givethousands of doses to private Medical clinics?

MARG MM
Instead of some of you lashing out at the Government and Health minister, why don't you lash out at the NON HIGH RISK general public that took the vaccine before high risk groups were able to get it, thus causing long line ups and shortages. Such selfishness is discusting.As to the media, they are certainly not helping the situation. Biased interviewing and reporting only make things worse.Hopefully, this week, when clinics re-open, the high risk people will be immunized, and the low risk general population will wait their turn.

Sean H in Ottawa
Why on earth is this not available at my family doctor? My wife and I have a newborn so we are eligible. However there is no way (even if the risk is low) that I'm going to wait in long lineups or in a crowded room with potentially sick people. I think my course of action will be to reduce the number of people I expose myself to and lay low until the flu season abates and the vaccine becomes more widely available.

Wayne
Hmmmm. How interesting that just 3 weeks ago, it was announce (by our Government) that we have enough vaxxine available for all Canadians without delay. Now, pay close attention, On Oct 20th or 21st, on the 11pm news they discussed how the vaxxine program would work, but within the same news broadcast they show a clip of Mr. Lieberman from United States congress. complaining to the senate floor how they did not have enough vaxxine from the canadain company, but Canada did have enough for the entire population. Here is the interesting part, NOW our senior health officials are releasing new information explaining that it will take some time for the company to fill the Canadian order, and will now take even longer to vaxxinate the canadian population that expected. Hmmmmmm, can we not put 2 and 2 together. In the last week I have not heard a peep out of the American health dept, about depleated vaxxine reserves for them. Goes to show us, who really runs the companies in Canada still. I think our health officials have missed one of the priority groups. There are now 7 priority groups. Americans being the 7th. Dont worry about giving me the vaxxine; just get me a few cases of Beer and I will just pass out for the 3rd wave. Give my shot to Jerry Springer. Oh, you already did. OK

reece
"How interesting that just 3 weeks ago, it was announced (by our Government) that we have enough vaccine available for all Canadians without delay." We also didn't have a deficit just before the election. We all know how that went too. I also heard that we were out of a recession by the BOC - but now that Ignatieff has piped down on his threat to bring down this gov't, I haven't been hearing any good news lately.

J. Forgues
What an intelligent way to vaccinate against an epidemic, by getting everyone together to contaminate others if they already have it without knowing yet...real intelligent government we have. Well I won't put myself at risk...I avoid crowds like the plague.

Jay
Wayne
From my understanding there is a still a big shortage in the States.

C. Porter in Courtice
Is it not true that there are still many more people dying of the regular flu?? More than half the people I know never get the regular flu shot but now all of a sudden people are rushing out like mad to get one. Like so many things in this age of instant (and often false) information, unwarranted fear is driving the masses. I think everyone just needs to take a chill pill now and then.

Piper
"High Risk" groups are: "Children under 5...health care workers...those living in remote aboriginal locations....and...those at high risk of complications from the flu, such as those who are pregnant, have asthma, diabetes or another chronic illness. " Seniors have already been exposed in their life times and so they are NOT supposed to be rushing to get the shot.

SadPanda
"And, notably, he said, it isn't mutating, despite Internet rumours to the contrary." Since when have Internet rumours been a reliable source of information? What a sad way to take a piece of journalism and turn it into fluff.

GB Oromocto
Why not triage people as the ER's do and just put through those in the risk priority and let the rest of us take our turn i.e. someone goes down the line and gives those eligible a slip and estimated time - the rest can go home. Not a difficult solution.

Roger T
Dear: Lorne Until you have contracted or have Swine flu than you are not in a position to whine or should I say SWINE! It's fine if YOU want to give up your spot to someone else for the shot but don't force others to do so. EVERY tax payer everyone should be entitled to access the flu without restrictions or special treatments given to others. Let's STOP SWINING!!!!

BJohnston
I would suggest that the media provide some actual context to this event by providing a detail of the total number of vaccine doses shipped to date to the provinces and territories and the actual number of Canadians that have received the vaccine to date. This might provide a better context to the issue and the actual scope and scale of the issue then simply stating that GSK can't ship the number of doses it promised.

Gregory d
Re: "in Nova Scotia. That province has ruled that people under age 65 with chronic health conditions are no longer considered in the high-risk category." I notice that aboriginal people are considered high risk and people with lung conditions are not considered high risk. I would of thought that these people would be more severe if they contract the disease. It seems the serious cases all end up on respirators so if their lungs are damaged then would this not make them a high risk for death? Why would healthy aboriginal people be higher risk than people with pre-existing conditions. Appears to be a double standard in this country.

Roger T
Dear: PPYou can give up your shot and what your family wants to do with your option but don't speak for me as I'm a tax payer who doesn't want others to make decisions with my tax $$$. If I as a TAX payer like yourself is entitled to have the shot than I shouldn't be held up because of of priority people have before myself or you!! I'm not interested in excuses I'm just interested in getting what I am eligible for as you and ALL OTHER TAX PAYERS ARE, otherwise we would be giving up what is owed to us everytime and that would be an excuse for other outbreaks.You get the message! FAIR TO ALL TAX PAYING CITIZENS!!

Dave, Ottawa
Roger T: You sound like the men on the Titanic who were pushing the women and children out of the way to get on a life boat. Sheesh... let the people who are most at risk of DYING from this thing get their shot first, then, you can do the "every man for himself" bit.

Diane Leduc Alberta
HIGH RISK - are people who are most likely to suffer severe MEDICAL complications or DEATH as a result of contracting the flu. People who are in HIGH CONTACT/EMERGENCY SERVICES are also HIGH PRIORITY in order to care for those who are sick. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO NEED THE VACCINE FIRST!!! If a healthly person gets the flu (and yes there maybe more than usual) they will be sick but they will recover because the have a healthly immune system. Those in the HIGH RISK group have LOW FUNCTIONING IMMUNE SYSTEMS and cannot fight the virus, leading to more likelihood of death in this group. The Government and the media should do a better job of communicating this information to the public. Everyone is important, but as a society we must put our most vulnerable first.

to dado
So even if Saskatchewan was sleeping as you think, at least there were no line-ups with people coughing and sneezing and contaminating everyone.

KC Jung
Why are gov't and health officials telling people to "be patient" for the problems they have been caused by "underestimating" peoples' desire to be vaccinated? Did they not watch the news, I mean flu stories have only been plastered in the media EVERY DAY since the first reported infections and deaths months ago.

Pigeon
sometimes I think a lot of Canadians live in a stump. Listen people - the feds supply the vaccine of which there are no shortages at the current rate of immunizations - the provinces/territories arrange the actual immunizing (i.e long lines, prisoners and private health care before priority groups). Where is the problem?

Bill from the Hat
Perhaps Health Canada should hire a few rocket scientists to get the distribution of the vaccine right the second time around? Why oh why was the distribution of the vaccine not prioritized the first time around?... must be rocket science!!!

Jay-TO
Slashing the yearly public health budget from 100 million under the Liberals to about 20 million a year couldn't have anything to do with this mess now could it? It had nothing to do with listeriosis last year either i suppose. I wish people could remember something from day to day instead of being like a bunch of chickens cackling. Your government has failed you, will continue to do so and doesn't care. Its part of the plan, the less people think of government, the more selfishness and cynicism it creates just furthers its goal of a government that is only military and police. The rest will be private sector. You are all buying into it completely. Look beyond your own petty little issues and see the big picture.

cn
I have two comments.
1. They never said they "have" 50 million doses. They said there will be 50 million ordered. They can't produce it that fast!!

2. I'm not sure i agree with doctors' offices giving the shot. Everyone will be making appointments just for that. How will i ever get in for another issue?

Angie
Dear cmt and Liz,

The reason that Aboriginal people are on the priority list is that they make up a disproportionately high number of those who have become seriously ill with H1N1. Many of them live in remote areas with poor sanitation, crowded living conditions, and no nearby medical facilities capable of providing the necessary care. If they become seriously ill they will have to be flown to more populated areas at great expense to the taxpayer. Urban Aboriginals are also at risk, however, often because of crowded living conditions brought about by poverty.

I hope this helps.

Cara B, NS
@ RogerT: Hmmm, interesting perspective you have. You're logic is flawed though. No one is taking your shot. It will be there for you just as soon as it's ready. Unfortunately, the one with your name on it hasn't been produced yet. Suck it up, buttercup, along with the rest of us. My kids and I couldn't get the vaccine here in NS either even though I am high risk because of breathing problems. My younger son came down with H1N1 this weekend and there is next to no hope that I won't have it by weeks end as well. Do I resent someone else getting a shot before me? No. But while I'm watching my son fight a high fever and sitting for 6-1/2 hours in an emergency room with dozens of other sick kids, I can't help but be glad you didn't get your "choice" before any of them.

Just thinkin
Since when are flu deaths reported by name and flu strain? Is it accurate to think this virus just started April 1st 2009 in some country that many Canadians happen to travel too prior to this date? We were vaccinated and all were thrown off our feet included our 10mth old that was ok to both lungs filled in a weeks time... was it already here in Jan/2009???Would be great to set up clinics to test for it first (prior to vaccine rollout) and then vaccinate where appropriate. Also, It seems that more people are suffering and passing of cancer -but the isotope issue seems to be on the back burner BIG TIME right now.

Pat
I am really getting irritated at the newspaper advertising, bought with my tax dollars, telling everyone they need to get the flu shot. Stop wasting my money. Don't advertise a product you can't provide.

missy
I got my flu shot yesterday. Stood in line for hours and chatted with a lot of people. All had valid reasons to be considered "high risk" (asthma, pregnant, etc.). People who accuse others of "jumping the line" are trying to justify their sense of self-entitlement. There is a shortage of vaccine and whenever there is a shortage of something, some people think it is ok to attack others (so it's not just starving people who attack others in line when a supply runs out). For all those accusing others of not being "high risk" enough, can you tell by looking at someone if they have difficult-to-control asthma? Thought not.

TD
Last week, Saskatchewan health workers were receiving their shots, an important step, no health care workers, no health care! This week Saskatchewan is giving shots to children and pregnant women. We spent nearly 3 hours in line to get my 4 yr old grandson his shot this morning. I can't have a shot due to egg allergies, and there are no doses without egg-base. I fall into the high risk group with both diabetes and liver disease, so I hope all around me get their shots!!

Just a Nurse
Ok, seriously what is wrong with the people of this country? When did the general public become so selfish? Not only are people jumping the line for the vaccine, but they are also not being socially responsible. Now some of your slower folks might need to be reminded just what is social responsibility? Well, when there is a pandemic occuring, and you or your child has any of the symptoms, you don't take the entire family to watch a hockey game, or to the mall, or to the grocery store. You don't go to work sick, you don't send your kids to school sick. Social responsibility. How can you be so selfish to spread your germs and this virus around because you have to do something, "little johnny has a hockey game so the whole family goes", maybe little johnny should miss hockey for a day or so. Your job will still get done without you, but by exposing everyone to the illness you have, or your children have, consider yourselves responsible for the deaths of fellow Canadians from the virus. I know it sucks to keep the kids home from that sleep over on the weekend, but really, you're putting your kids at risk as well. So stay home, wash your hands and be patient. If everyone stayed home who was sick and self-isolated themselves, think of how many other people wouldn't get sick! And be patient for the vaccine, who cares who's to blame, you are all just as much to blame if you are not being socially responsible!

Concerned in Mississauga
Please everybody calm down. I caught the flu last week sometime and while it's not tons of fun, I've actually had worse. My family doctor prescribed Tamiflu which, to my surprise was free of charge at my local pharmacy. The coughing is the worst part. Also I have to be super careful when I sneeze and cough, cause I'm the sole caretaker of my 88 year old mom and it would be bad news if she caught it. Something tells me that it'll be way too late to get this shot in Dec, so if it's not available within a couple of week, I won't be bothering. Finally I wish the media would shut up.

Natalie O'Connor
I think that it is pathetic that in 2009 we are facing this kind of problem. The government has been reassuring the public that they had this problem in hand for months, and yet again they fail to keep their promises to protect their citizens. There is a panic and as a pregnant mother myself in the high risk category, with a child who currently is also in the category and not yet vaccinated I am disgusted that people who were not in high risk jumped the line. The government should have distributed the vaccine to doctors and had them administer to their high risk patience before these clinics ever opened. One of the key recommendations was to keep away from public places and yet, they create one to vaccinate people. Personally, I am appalled at the lack of responsibility the government has shown in handling this issue. We are supposed to be one of the best countries in the world and yet our government’s lack of organization when it matters is laughable.

Joanne
I went to H1N1 clinic in Rogersville NB and was refused with my son he is 9 years old and told me only under 5 years old. They should think that is ours kids that have to go to school I can wait if we have to but they should not refuse kids, I am shore that they have been vaccinated and they family member and their kids but they just don't care for our kids. Down here the aboriginal kids were first, and this week the english kids and we the french kids are only after November the 9th that is just not right.Richibucto, NB

Brenda
I really think they should of went too schools first since the children are at high risk Why say children under the age of five are only at high risk i thought all children are at high risk.Its not far that all the older poeple that already got the vaccine last week will be safe from it so now my 6 year old daughter has too wait another week not fair.

colby smith
i think the whole process is a joke,asking everyone to rush ,and get the h1n1 flu shot then change priorities in people who should get the shot,and then to run out of the vaccine 100% stupid,and irresponsible by all concerned,what is uor health care system comming to?is this why we pay the highest taxes in the world for?

william fredericks
well i think the goverment is doing the best they can with what they have .but on that note i don't think they should be turning down the children that have needs and health problems. my god they have enought to fight don't add any more on them thats what i think anyway. but i'm sure the goverment dont care what i think. ps. i bet they all got their shots.

Annette Keating
I take Humira which depletes my immune system. My specialists wants me get the H1N1 vaccine as soon as possible for my protection.Being a resident of HRM, I do not have much cofidence of that happening soon.Can you imagine my wait in a line up with a husband in the later stages of Alzeihmers disease. AM I FRUSTRATED? GUESS!!!!

Jim
Ontario definitely is too politically correct. As usual new immigrants on welfare with large families have to be taken care of so we have to come up with the honour system. Shots should have been given out based on how far back you can trace your lineage in Canada. Aboriginals first and new canadians last. That's as usual where Ontario gets it all wrong.

Catherine Forest - Brossard, Québec
I think the health people in this country need to get their pants on and make some hard decisions. Two of my children cannot get vaccinated for another 3 weeks and will not build antibodies until 10 days have passed. This means that they will spend the following 5 weeks at risk of falling ill with H1N1. All the while we keep getting told that it's healthy children who are falling critically ill. If we cannot expect children to be protected until mid December then close the schools down until then or at least make wearing masks mandatory. Why are we being forced to play Russian Roulette with our children by exposing them every day to one of the worst breeding grounds for viruses?

SK Doctor
Sorry, but this isn't news...it's always been part of the immunization strategy...and the correct way to proceed...

amber
i think that as a way of helping people from getting the H1N1, people seen at work or at schools that look to be sick should have to leave. as a person just getting over H1N1 i know just how important it is to stay home to not infect others.currently in sudbury a great amount of people working for the hospital have the flu nd still going into work with no thought at all of the CDC. funny seeing as how these are the peolple putting out messages to stay home if you think you could have H1N1.great health care system (Y)

Dawn Ettinger
I was shocked and appalled while watching "Live at 5" tonight when I saw a father and his young daughter with Downs Syndrome turned away from getting her H1 N1 vaccine. We have a little boy with Downs Syndrome and we know full well how jeopardized their immune systems are. I feel this is an injustice of the worst kind and it sickens me, I think we as people need to take a long hard look at whats going on. What is wrong with our systmem?Milford Station Hants County

Dot
Since when are people with lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis or asthma not high risk?

Len in winnipeg
There are so many people complaning that the doctors are not giving the shots in their offices. It takes weeks to get an appointment as it is without this extra workload. Do you expect them to cancel all other health care just to give needles?

Brina in NS
I have a Mother who is going to be doing Chemotherapy in 2 weeks and she is not even high risk!!!! What the hell is wrong with these people?!? Any Cancer patient and their care givers are at high risk. As the one person who will see my Mother the most i should be able to get the shot, but I am not cause I am 30 and healthy! My Mother who will have no immune system shortly due to chemo isnt even allowed to get her shot. One doctor told her to get it, while those at the clinics are telling her no!!!! The health minister needs to learn how to re-priortize these vaccines so that those who really do need it can get it!!!!

Jim from Ontario
This is really starting to scare me. All of the confusion, anger, the strong pushing the week out of the way. No solid controls in place. I am starting to wonder what would happen if this was truely a terrible virus that killed a high % of people! Would we have riots, troups and police at each clinic. I am starting to wonder... In saying that, the solution to me would have been simple. If the government did not want to give the doctors direct control of the vacine, they should have given the vacine out by prescription. As most hi-risk people are already seeing the doctor on a regular basis, this is not as hard as it would seem. Younger and older people as well as aboriginal people might require different methods but these groups are fairly easy to identify. Controls could have worked here if they were simply implemented. The ratings on these submittals clearly show that our population believe in the survival of the fittest and strongest. Such a society is questionable at best and very, very disapointing to me. I will wait until the lines are normal and the high risk patients are taken care of. I will at least be able to sleep at night.

Rose
All of those on here complaining are probably the nasty pigs that decided it is NOT a good idea to wash their hands after using the bathroom. I 100% agree with everyone taking responsibility for their own disgusting habits that lead to these mass breakouts of different strains of deadly flu's. Just think of virology students that are testing the hospital door knobs and railings to find feces, urine, vaginal and seminal fluids! Everyone needs to stop worrying who is at high risk for the vaccine and who deserves it more, and start to CLEAN OURSELVES PROPERLY!! Everyone is fighting over a vaccine that is so new and hasn't even been tested to i'm sure it's full extent. Just wait for the news to say "H1N1 vaccine has been causing deaths, or Anyone who has recently had the vaccine is at risk for some other deadly disease" Those who lined up early to get the vaccine were i'm sure thinking that there would be enough for everyone, NOT thinking "To hell with those of HIGH risk, i'm gonna steal vaccine's even though i don't really need it" What if those who were deemed NOT HIGH RISK start to die?? Then who is to blame?? People please!

Albertan
As someone who had to wait about 5 hours outside in the frigid cold, I am happy to have had the H1N1 shot on day 1. I was concerned due to immuno-supression and heart disease.I would have had no difficulty proving high-risk but 30% of the populations being high-risk makes that meaningless. Just being able to stand for 5 hours probably should have eliminated me. In the blame game, I think TV and media are hugely responsible for the chaos, the lineups, and the publics' high anxiety. Then political opportunists. Then whoever thought the ideal clinic was a place where waiting outside was necessary.I agree with Nova Scotia's narrow view of who should get shots and would add to their list EMS/ paramedics, police, and fire persons.

Melanie
I believe that anyone that wants to get the H1N1 vaccine should beable to get it. Since H1N1 is very serious, are we not all at a HIGH risk of getting it? As for how the clinics are being run. I think they are not very well organized in some areas. Where I received mine it was a 5 HOUR wait in line on your feet. After waiting in line for over 3 hours we reached a spot where there were about 10 chairs and a few small benches, which were mostly occupied already. This is very unacceptable, especially for the Elderly and Persons with small children. Once waiting for 4 hours we finally made it into the room to get the vaccine, then come it find out we had to sit and watch an info video (which should of been playing in the hallway of the Civic Center while we were waiting for the past 4 hours). Then we had to fill out an info sheet about ourselves (which again they should of had us filling out while waiting in line. Then we were told to sit in another set of chairs to get in line to actually get the vaccine. To all the Nurses and GASHA who helped put it together thank you for doing it. But please cut down the wait time.

allan
Can you imagine liberal m.p. Carol Bennett as your doctor!!!! She is a complete nutcase.I cant believe the stupidity of this hysterical idiot.

Lianna Cooper
I am in Saskatoon, access in not restricted here, it is a "select" few who get it. My sons are 5 and 7 and have asthma, they were turned away. At the same time healthy adults were not, a family from Langham got their shots, they have no health issues! Right after we were turned away an immigrant family of 7 were all given the shot, including the adults. I guess my Canadian born low income children don't count!

Margaret
This is exactly what should have been happening in the first place! There has been PLENTY of exposure in the mass media as to who is considered "high priority" and should get the vaccine first. All those healty individuals, who were NOT in the 'high priority" groups should NOT have been given the vaccine before the "most at risk" group had been served. Wake up Canada!! Stop thinking only about yourselves for 5 minutes! If you have a healthy immune system then you don't need the vaccine ASAP! Also, give your heads a shake! Just because 50 million doses were ORDERED, doesn't mean that 50 million doses were immediately available! There's only one Pharmaceutical company manufacturing the vaccine. And it is also producing it for the USA and other countries. Where do you get the idea that the only country GSK is making for is Canada? Grow up!

Jessica
I'm 12 year old attending jr. high well this is all going on . In my opinion I think it's poorly thoght about . Now I agree that pregnant women should get the shot but I do not agree that us children should not be able to get this shot . I had five kids out in my class today sick i have many comfirmed swine flu cases in my school ,And in my class this poor kid was sick for 10 days with a fever and cough not being able to eat . Now think about this Little children below the age of five are usually home or at daycare they can have the guardian looking over them with bottles of purelle but at our school kids are taking this flu for granted pretending to cough on each other,going on sharing drink hugging. With this keeping up most of the school population will be sick what will they do then? Not to even get started that a chilld in my brother school is in the hospitel sick as a dog because of it but she wil not have a say or any other children our age when our friends around us are getting sick. Well just have to wait it out and hope that we will be that one that will be lucky ! Thank's for reading

Brad
The news media created the panic that caused huge crowds of people to rush the clinics, and now the news media is criticizing the government for their handling of the panic. The fact of the matter is you can't vaccinate the entire country in a day, it takes time and everyone is working very hard and tirelessly to get the vaccinations done.If you are not a parent of a young child, an elderly or chronically ill person, or the caretaker for one, you should not be rushing the clinics, you should wait your turn and stop freaking out. A person in their 20s or 30s has a greater chance of surviving the flu than a person in their 80s who might not survive a normal flu. Just sit tight for awhile, use some purell and stay out of big panicky crowds of people who haven't been vaccinated!

Jonathan L.
Its interesting that First Nations communities get priority, yet again, for this vaccine. The rest of Canadians are second class to the First Nations, yet again. Maybe the Canadian government will step up and make the First Nations be regular citizens of this country instead of placing them on a pedestal, thereby creating another rift between the Canadian citizens and First Nations Communities. You don't see the US giving it only to health care workers, young children and African American or Latinos first. That not only sounds ridiculous, IT IS. Yet here again the Canadian government is acting ridiculous...thanks Harper et al. You failed again to promote equality.

DONALDA
My daughter is a diabetic and she is not high risk,well who gives the right to say she is not high risk!!!!! I think everyone should be included,there should not be any high risk first.It should be first come first serve!!!!!!

Tim Caines
I am extremely disappointed. I am not certain how the govenment expects folks that are single parents for instance to start standing in line at 0600 to get wristbands that are handed out at 0900 for a clinic that opens at 1400. This is extremely disorganized and as a tax payer I expect answers without the costly board of inquiry. Sounds like poor planning on the part of some.

Kay Holmes
Getting the flu shot isn't a guarantee you won't catch the flu. Just remember that. The best way to fight the flu is to not over exert yourself. If you're starting to feel ill, scratchy throat, chills, etc... then you stay home and cover yourself up with clothes and blankets and rest. And drink lots of fluids, because you lose it sweating it out.The flu shot is not a cure.

Haley
I have been very upset & nervous since I found out that people with underlying health conditions can't get the vaccine now. I have asthma & at my work I am in direct contact with many customers daily. I was working during our local open vaccine clinic. This week I am not on the priority list. When I found out I would have to wait I was angry, upset and scared. I blamed lots of others. But then I realized no one meant for it to be this way. By having these emotions won't change the shortage. Getting stressed might put me more at risk of catching it suffering worse from it than if I tried to stay calmer to try to keep my immune system stronger, follow precautions, prepare, wait patiently and get the vaccine when available. It's not an easy thing to do.When I or others say how this "should have been handled and allotted" to prevent this problem from occurring we are using what is known and not what was(n't) known then. However hindsight is 20/20. It is easier to see ways to handle it differently after the fact. Had we not run into this problem people would just be going on with their lives. Yes I am still miffed and extremely scared with this situation. Then I think others have worse health conditions than mine. And you know even the ones not in the high risk groups are dying. We can't change it by complaining or worrying. I just hope that all who want the vaccine gets it quickly and that fatalities will be low, ideally nil.

The Other Lowell in BC
Hey SpinMeNot. How could you possibly say the government is doing a good job. The government underestimated the supply, poor communication plan, had no effective plan to manage priority levels, created massive anxiety by telling people they needed the vaccine (i.e. long lines of people willing to stand in bad weather for hours to get a vaccine and then to get turned away), did not have backup sources of supply in case the situation which occurred with Glaxo-Kline happened (surprise, surprise). The list goes on. I am not blaming Leona either. Her interviews have been heavily scripted so we know who the person to blame is.

The Silent Majority
The H1N1 is not news. We are inundated with information. All forms of media, government pamphlets arriving by mail, and even e-mails dustrubuted through work. If people don't know what's going on by now they must have been on another planet.