Brock battles H1N1 as flu season rolls in
Geoffrey Blain
Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: Health
Just as predicted, the H1N1 influenza is picking up steam as the traditional flu-season begins to kick in and people become more suspectible to illness.
New cases of the flu were higher than in weeks past across the province. There are now nearly 6,000 confirmed cases of the flu in Ontario. Of those, 163 are confirmed in the Niagara Region, 44 more than last week.
Of the 435,000 people that make up the population of the Niagara Region, two have succumb to the illness, both of whom had underlying medical conditions unrelated to H1N1.
Flu immunization clinics are being scheduled almost daily across the province as vaccine inventories become more clear. Thus far, only those specified as priority groups by the province have been eligible to receive the shot. Originally, it was believed that the priority groups will be expanded or removed in the next few weeks, making the shot available to all citizens, however that scenario is now beginning to look unlikely.
According to the Brock Web site, over 1,100 vaccinations were given at the flu-shot clinic held at Brock on Nov. 3, about one-third of whom were members of the Brock community. Another clinic is expected to be held at the university next week.
Debate about whether or not the shot is safe has been sparked in the media, however, according to Brock medical director Dr. Darrell Grant, the shot is safe.
"If and when the vaccine becomes available to the general public, I strongly advise all students to take advantage of it. Any student with any medical condition now, particularly asthma, is certainly welcome to get the vaccine now if they haven't already."
Shortages of the vaccine have been reported in some areas of the province, such as Peel Region, however that does not seem to be a concern here in Niagara. At a clinic at the Niagara Region Headquarters building across from Brock on Nov. 9, those looking for vaccinations were coming in at a trickle, suggesting that any member of the priority groups who has wanted to get the shot has already been vaccinated.
New cases of the flu were higher than in weeks past across the province. There are now nearly 6,000 confirmed cases of the flu in Ontario. Of those, 163 are confirmed in the Niagara Region, 44 more than last week.
Of the 435,000 people that make up the population of the Niagara Region, two have succumb to the illness, both of whom had underlying medical conditions unrelated to H1N1.
Flu immunization clinics are being scheduled almost daily across the province as vaccine inventories become more clear. Thus far, only those specified as priority groups by the province have been eligible to receive the shot. Originally, it was believed that the priority groups will be expanded or removed in the next few weeks, making the shot available to all citizens, however that scenario is now beginning to look unlikely.
According to the Brock Web site, over 1,100 vaccinations were given at the flu-shot clinic held at Brock on Nov. 3, about one-third of whom were members of the Brock community. Another clinic is expected to be held at the university next week.
Debate about whether or not the shot is safe has been sparked in the media, however, according to Brock medical director Dr. Darrell Grant, the shot is safe.
"If and when the vaccine becomes available to the general public, I strongly advise all students to take advantage of it. Any student with any medical condition now, particularly asthma, is certainly welcome to get the vaccine now if they haven't already."
Shortages of the vaccine have been reported in some areas of the province, such as Peel Region, however that does not seem to be a concern here in Niagara. At a clinic at the Niagara Region Headquarters building across from Brock on Nov. 9, those looking for vaccinations were coming in at a trickle, suggesting that any member of the priority groups who has wanted to get the shot has already been vaccinated.
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Richard Osadak
posted 11/10/09 @ 10:21 PM EST
The medical officers and directors,from their comments, appear very focused at following the virus.
How they identify, isolate and photograph the H1N1 is amazing. (Continued…)
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