More H1N1 vaccine clinics added in Central Plains region

Posted By Rob Swystun, The Daily Graphic

Posted 2 months ago

Staff photo by Rob Swystun -- Kyle MacNair, a pharmacist with Regional Health Authority --- Central Manitoba Inc., fills syringes with the H1N1 flu vaccination at Portage Alliance Church Saturday. The syringes are filled with the vaccine prior to shots being given to help the process run smoother.

Over 3,600 people have received their H1N1 vaccination in the City and Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie and more clinics are on the way as demand for the vaccine winds down, a local health official said.

"We've had some very good turnout," Dr. Shelley Buchan, medical officer for health for the Regional Health Authority -- Central Manitoba Inc., said.

The vaccine clinics have been running for about four weeks in the region and will continue this week and into December, she added.

Portage will see two more general public clinics on Nov. 25 and 26 at the Portage Evangelical Church (72-3rd Street NE) from 12 noon to 7 p.m., as well as one on Dec. 3 at the William Glesby Centre from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Gladstone will have one clinic on Nov. 27 at the Gladstone District Community Centre (79 - 5th Street) from 12 noon to 7 p.m.

Vaccine clinics will wind down at the end of this month and into December as demand for the vaccine slowly lessens, Buchan noted.

In contrast to the line ups when the vaccine was first available a few weeks ago and it was running out, Saturday's clinic saw relatively short wait times, the medical officer noted.

People who showed up when the clinic opened in the morning had to wait over an hour to get processed but after than initial rush people were in an out quickly, she said.

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rswystun@cpheraldleader.com

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