Long lines and waits were the norm for H1N1 vaccine clinics in Charlottetown Wednesday, due mainly to people who don’t meet priority guidelines lining up. Guardian photo
More and more Islanders are showing signs of swine flu, which has kicked the province’s pandemic plan into action — but fear of the outbreak has some Islanders lining up for vaccines who don’t meet priority guidelines.
Through Monday and Tuesday almost 8,000 vaccines were given to those who presented to clinics within the designated high priority groups. During this first week of vaccinations, only health-care workers, those with chronic health conditions, children six months to school entry, people living in remote settings, First Nations or Aboriginal populations and caregivers of those who are immune compromised are supposed to get the shot.
The rest of the population will be vaccinated in the coming weeks.
But on Wednesday, the lineups for vaccines were a great deal longer than earlier in the week. Some people were forced to wait over three hours in line for their vaccines.
That’s because people not in the designated priority groups joined the vaccine lineup on Wednesday.
Fear among many in the public was heightened after news of a 13-year-old boy’s death in Toronto this week due to H1N1. This, coupled with news from the health department Wednesday that the province’s pandemic plan has been kicked into action now that the second wave of the virus has hit P.E.I., has many in the community worried for their safety.
Health Minister Doug Currie urged Islanders to respect the vaccine schedule that has been established.
“It’s very important that the public pay attention to the vaccine roll-out plan,” Currie said during a press briefing Wednesday.
“I know this issue is starting to create some anxiety in the public, but we certainly want to remind the public that there is enough vaccines for all Islanders and there has been some national media due to the death of the boy in Toronto, which has heightened the anxiety and we want to be respectful to families considering that, but it’s really important that we pay attention to the roll-out plan — we do have a plan and we are equipped to respond.”
Emergency rooms across the province — especially at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown — have been inundated with people with ‘influenza-like illness.’ Clinics and doctors offices across the province have likewise been filled with sick Islanders, suspected to have contracted H1N1.
Seven more schools have been added to the list of schools with more than 10 per cent absenteeism due to students contracting the flu.
As well, the toll-free telephone line set up by the Health Department to handle swine flu queries has been so inundated with calls, officials have been forced to add further options for callers and additional staff.
The situation has reached an intense point in Charlottetown and, as a result, on Wednesday, the province began to roll out the beginnings of its pandemic plan.
A dedicated influenza assessment site will open Thursday at the Four Neighbourhoods Family Health Centre. It is located in the same building as the Sherwood fire station on St. Peters Road, across from the Sherwood Shopping Centre.
This clinic will not administer vaccines, but will see patients experiencing influenza-like illness who also have underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, asthma or pregnancy. Those who are otherwise healthy but who start to get sick with a flu, health officials are advising to merely stay home and recuperate. If symptoms become more severe, patients are advised to then go to the closest emergency room.
The vaccine clinics will continue this week for those in the first priority group. More questions will be asked of those who come to these clinics to make sure they are indeed within this priority group, and in the coming weeks, Islanders will — one by one — get their swine flu shots.
In the meantime, the important thing for the public to remember is that everyone will soon get their swine flu vaccines, said P.E.I.'s Chief Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison.
“I urge Islanders to have patience — we will get everyone vaccinated — but we also have to care enough about each other and other Islanders who are at higher risk of getting complications,” Morrison said.
“Those who are at highest risk of being on a ventilator, being in the ICU, really should be the people who get the vaccine first — and that is why we're trying to do the vaccine campaign the way we are.”
Symptoms:
Islanders should seek immediate medical attention only if:
— he/she has very fast breathing or trouble breathing;
— bluish skin colour;
— is not drinking enough fluids;
— not waking up or not interacting;
— has increased irritability;
— fever with a rash or flu-like symptoms that improve and then return with fever and worse cough.
———
Symptoms of H1N1 flu virus are similar to those of regular influenza and include cough with or without fever plus one of the following: sore throat, body aches and pains, fatigue and lack of appetite.
Vomiting and/or diarrhea may also be present. Fever may not be prominent in those under age five or over 65.
For more information on when to seek medical treatment, call 1-888-748-5454.
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bannie ============== from chtown, pei writes: Now with 10 schools with h1n1 symptoms
close them down NOW.
People are panicking,no one wants to get this disease or die.run these clinics 24hrs if needed ,smarten up.
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Head shaker from Alberta writes: This is absolutely ridiculous.
Healthy people subjecting the elderly, young children and other high risk patients to long waits, many of whom may have difficulty standing for long periods of time, to long waits standing in line. This is very selfish and it is being seen here in Calgary too.
The proper thing to do would be to turn away any one who is not in the high risk category and explain to them that they will have to come back when it is their turn. When they complain about having waited all that time they have no one to blame but themselves.
Unfortunately this is not being done here in Calgary and the result is many elderly, young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and other health problems are being forced to wait for hours, some as long as 6 hours and usually out in the cold while healthy people, who should be waiting their turn, are standing at the front of the line.
This is not right and should not be accepted. Hopefully PEI does the right thing and turns away non high risk people until it is their turn.
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Why? from PE writes: I would like to know how anyone knows what people are getting the shot that are not in the priority group. Not one person asks you why you are getting the shot and if someone did ask, you could easily lie and nobody would know the difference. I think the main problem is that there is only one clinic in all of Queens county. Queens county has by far the largest population base on PEI but only has one clinic whereas Prince and Kings has two. If there were more clinics, I believe wait times would not be an issue. I would like to say that on the day my family went to the clinic it was very well run and all the staff were great.
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D from PE writes: As a parent, I can see why people would want to vaccinate their children before the time given by the government. Pre-teen children are the people dying from H1N1 in Ontario and these people were perfectly healthy before contracting the disease. Yet, on PEI junior high and high school students are not slated to get the vaccine for another two weeks and then it takes two weeks for it to be effective. By this point, the Island will probably be in crisis mode with the amount of cases. There should be more clinics available now for everyone. If you have the vaccine, use it now before it gets out of hand. If the lack of staff is an issue, you should also have doctors offices giving it out as well as public health just like the regular flu shot. This would alleviate most of the problems.
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Marla from PEI writes: When do I get my shot now?
I'm a health care worker and I went the 3 last three days,which was my designated group...I still haven't got it.The line was up to three hours long. Due to my shifts which are split up through the day,I couldn't wait that long.I go to 3-4 different homes everyday,I think I shoulld have this shot.
If I go today I'll be turned away as today they decide to check which group a person is in.They'll say you should have come on your groups designated day.What do I do now?
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Jennifer M from Charlottetown, PEI writes: This is what happens when you create such fear in the public by making it sound like we are all dropping like flies out there from H1N1. Of course people are going to get scared when they think they could die in 24 hours. Priority lines are just not going to be respected. The government has created this problem and they need to be more clear about the actual CONFIRMED cases of H1N1 and the actual mortality rate from this flu. Saying that more and more people with flu like symptoms are staying home and calling their doctors isn't giving the public the true picture. All you are doing is making people feel like they are playing Russian roulet every time they step out their door without their shot in the arm.
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BadPaddy from York, PEI writes: Is there any wonder people are starting to panic? The media have been playing this over the top since it started. The Globe and mail, Toronto's national newspaper, has 3 different sections devoted to it!
Given the experience anyone has had at an airport, soon as the boarding announcement for Parents with small children and the disabled is called, everyone runs to the counter....don't worry folks the plane dosen't leave until the last person has boarded...keep your pants on, you'll get your shot!
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Follow the rules from PE writes: People need to relax and follow the rules. Who in their right mind wants to go wait in line with 1, 2, 3 or even more kids for 3 to 4 hours! Most people want to get the vaccine, so follow the rules and go when you are asked to go.
Don`t think you can take priority over babies and toddlers just because you are scared! If you are old enough to make the decision that you are too scared to wait, you have lived a much longer life then the ones who can`t make that decision for themselves!
Gives your head a shake! You`re acting like you would put your long lived life infront of a child who has yet to have a chance at life.
And its not even that SERIOUS! Sure some people died, and I am trully sorry for that, but people die every day, from many things that we don`t get vaccinated for, so RELAX! Your time will come to get your shot.
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RG from PEI writes: Why are they letting these people get the vaccination if they're not in the designated groups? If they're allowing them to get it, that's why there's too many people.
They should stick to what they've said and only give it to the high priority groups. If anybody isn't in it, turn them away and tell them to come back when it's their turn.
The only way you're going to decrease the lines is to be strict on the regulations. If you're not, people are going to do whatever they can to bend the rules.
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grossedout Guy from georgia, saskatchewan writes: Some people are pretty darn small. The only person they think about is themselves. Come on people - let the people in greatest need get their shots - for once think of somebody besides yourself!
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Wayne MacKinnon from Marshfield, P.E.I. writes: Check out this site before you decide to roll up your sleeve for the swine flu vaccine.
Barbara Loe Fisher founder of National Vaccine Information Center, a non-profit organization released this information at swineflu.mercola.com
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turned away from pe writes: Many of us met the priority guidelines and could not get near the place!!
How about a few clinics spread over the city.
If it was a poll booth there would not be just one would there? Doubt it.
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I'm vaccinated from PEI writes: Why would you use this headline? We are being encouraged to get vaccinated and now you're claiming that too many people are going? And why promote the LONG wait... are you trying to discourage people from protecting themselves and others from H1N1? I went yesterday afternoon with my husband and two children and we waited over an hour and a half but it was worth it to know that we're protected. The nurses were all great and it was very well organized. Let's not complain about the wait... let's just be thankful that the vaccine is available and free.
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Dawn from PEI writes: I went on Monday and waiting 30 mins including the 20 minutes after the needle. My husband has been ill a lot in the last couple of years, I worked with young children and one of my three kids has had rsv. I can't wait with 200 to 300 other people that are sharing their germs. Truely we were suppose to wait until Wednesday night but I have been living with the fear of spending days in the hospital or worse at the funeral homes. When I seen Robert Ghiz and his wife getting a shot on Monday( really they were not suppose to get one until Wednesday either) I said let's go. I think that they need more centres giving needles . There were three nurses wondering around watching people for reactions and saying that there are kids in ICU in QEH now that are really sick. I want numbers and true facts one nurse said it a 100% that we now will not get it and another says it is only 75%now that we have the shot.
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Children Separate from PEI writes: I would suggest they provide a Separate Clinic for Mothers and Children to cut down on the numbers at one. If it's true that some are going for the Vaccination who are sick it is not the place for small children or possibly Pregnant Mothers!
And those who are sick should be told to STAY HOME by our Health Dept. I don't think it's to their benefit healthwise to get the vaccination when sick anyway!
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Shirley from PEI writes: I think clinic's should have been set up in each community for people to go and get their shots.
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Just the flu from PEI writes: It's just the flu! Calm down everyone. Are you aware this is no more dangerous than the flu that goes around each year? You have been successfully scared into getting vaccinated and the vaccine companies are raking in the money. It's scary to see what fear does to people.
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d from pe writes: i hope they do start following the roll out plan more closely. i've tried for a few days now to get my 2 small children vaccinated, but there as SO many people in the line, that are not in the first grouping it's ridiculous. i know people are starting to panic, but that doesnt make them more important the people at the greatest risk. i know several people who have already been vaccinated, that do not fall into the greatest risk categories. it's really frusterating. maybe today will be the day for my kids!!
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Elizabeth from PEI writes: I was vaccinated there yesterday and did not see a flood of people in line who were not in the high risk groups. Everyone had to check off what risk group they were in: chronically ill, caretakers for chronically ill individuals, children between 6 months and 5 years, pregnant women etc. I think that the long lines occurred because the organizers underestimated how many people in Queen's County fit into these risk groups.
The other issue is that some chronically ill people were not able to attend the past three days and when they showed up today they were turned away because today's vaccine is only for children and aboriginal people. When are these high risk ill individuals supposed to get their vaccine now?
I do want to add that when I was there- everyone in line was very polite, conscientious and in good spirits despite waiting for hours with young children or chronic illnesses. The nurses were doing an incredible job and there were many of them. So thanks to all involved for that.
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To Bannie from Cornwall, PE writes: TO BANNIE ===== from Charlottetown:
You can tell solely from your pathetic grammar/spelling abilities, just how smart you really are.
You say why not have the clinic going 24 hours, I ask you, would you be willing to do that yourself?
In my opinion, those working at these clinics have been doing an excellent job to date. Over 300 people through a day, wow.
I am sure that every other province is having long waits as well. If you don't want to wait a mere 3 hours to avoid this virus, stay at home! Save everyone the misery!
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Question from Charlottetown, PEI writes: Can someone answer an honest question for me please...if I live with someone who got the vaccine yesterday, am I in the priority group? It says so on the gov't website, but on CBC it doesn't say anything about people from the same household of someone who has been vaccinated?
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Hugh from PEI writes: No doubt there's people going to these clinics that should be waiting for the other clinics to start for the general population, thus increasing the lineups....does anyone know when the clinics are starting for the general population??? I never heard a clear date when this was starting.
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PE from PE writes: What if you are in the priority group and can't get seen?
Advise????
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Joe from New Perth writes: Why is there only one clinic in all of Queens County? That simply doesn't make sense. I'm sure everybody at the clinics are doing the best they can, but the easiest answer to this problem of excruciating line-ups is to have another location. Isn't this just common sense?
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TO QUESTION from PEI writes: (Can someone answer an honest question for me please...if I live with someone who got the vaccine yesterday, am I in the priority group? It says so on the gov't website, but on CBC it doesn't say anything about people from the same household of someone who has been vaccinated?)
What do you mean? I don't understand your question? Here's my view, hope it helps.
If you are on the Priorty List that is scheduled you get the Vacination on that day! If you are not, you don't! As far as I understand.
Who you live with doesn't have any bearing on the Priority List UNLESS. You live with someone who has a Chronic Illness or who's Immune System is Compromised, etc. then you if your a Contact Person (the only one in the household to assist that person) you are also elligible to receive the Vacination on that day for that Group! In my understanding.
I'd go by what is being stated on the PEI Health Site. I would have to think that is the most relevant information. (Hopefully) Of course we also have to consider we live on PEI and the Controversary that has been circulating to date!
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PEI Dept of Health Website from PEI writes: List of Clinics and Schedules along with
other info
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Nancy G. from Charlottetown, PEI writes: In people's defense, when we went this morning to the immunization clinic my husband and were all prepared to only get our toddler immunized and the nurse insisted that we all get done. So the three of us got our needles and they were doing that for everyone. It only took a tiny bit longer for her to do all of us and it probably cuts down on the amount of people that will be showing up the week of the 16th. I thought the Public Health had a great set up and did a wonderful job. Everything seemed to move quickly. We lined up at 8 am and were home by 10:15. Not so bad. I think they are doing the best they can.
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Concerned Mother from Charlottetown, PEI writes: Last night I took my junior high aged son, who suffers from asthma to get his vaccine. By the time I arrived at the Sherwood clinic there had been so many people arrive who were not considered priority that the doors were being policed by two policemen who at first told me that I would not be able to get my son the vaccine that evening. After explaining that my son was in a high risk category and in combination that junior high students won`t be receiving these shots at school until the week after next and in combination with the 10 days that the vaccine takes to become effective...I was let in. Knowing that there were many people getting shots who were not in the high risk category I decided to bring my sons ID and Asthma medication to prove that he indeed was in the high risk category. (Which I did`t have to do) I can understand everyone`s fear and wanting to get the shots right away...Why not just have two lines...one for priority cases and one line for those people who don`t mind the long wait or letting the priority cases go first?
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Mediacreated madness from PEI writes: ...The flu or complications from the flu kills between 4,000 and 8,000 Canadians a year, depending on the severity of the season, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada...
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phyllis from pe writes: I can hardly wait for the awards dinner for all the people involved in the poor planning for this clinic. I would just bet that they will all be there lined up like stuffed toads, patting each other on the back for such a well done job.
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Sue from PEI writes: It just goes to show you how much people are scared by all this hype .If healthy people are getting in the way of the priorty groups..they are just not listening or down right selfish!I blame the government for turning this into a nightmare..Yes its a new flu virus and yes there have been serious cases,but really I bet last year when people were hospitalized or died of the seasonal flu it wasn't reported on the news.I admit I too am worried ,because I have children 13,and 11 but I think I have to give my head a shake and take this all in.I was never one for getting flu shots before because ,I figured you get the flu ,you're sick for awhile then its over.We never even heard of a flu shot years ago.Of course I want to protect my kids at all times ,but I really have to weigh the long term effects of a new vaccine,and a virus that seems to be mild in the majority of cases.The one thing that does stand out is that the swine flu is quite contagious.We are hearing so much media reporting of the numbers of confirmed cases(think back a year...how many seasonal flu cases were tested and made the headlines)
I think what sparked the greatest panic and fear was the death of the boy in Ontario.I too thought OMG ,how terrible for this family and now what about the rest of us.But taking a closer look at that death,yes it was confirmed he had the H1N1 virus at the time of death,but what actually caused his death.I would like to know if they found any underlying health issues that made the swine flu more potent.It was reprorted that the child also had a sore neck,which can be a symptom of mennengitis.I've never heard of a sore neck symptom of swine flu,but I have been wrong before lol
I'm still on the fence about the vaccine..its effectiveness and safety,its a little too rushed for me ,so Im giving it more thought.
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luke hansen from Stratford, PEI writes: We showed up this morning at 8:45 with our 5 month old, and 4 year old son with a heart condition. The mall was packed and we were given an estimate of up to 5 hrs. Needless to say, we left. Children should not be subjected to that wait, surrounded by people who could potentially already be infected. So - we drove to Souris and were in and out in an hour. Maybe 20 families in front of us when we arrived. Try another location people, it's only Charlottetown area residents who are being forced line up like cattle. I'd sooner drive 20-30 minutes than stand in a line of sick people for 4 hrs. anyday.
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just like one of the gang from pei writes: Next time maybe our premier should wait in line like the general population . This could bring the reality home to the govt and planners.
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Sick People in Line! from PEI writes: What the HEY are sick people doing in line for the Vaccine??? The Dept of Health told sick people to stay home!! That is where they should be!!!
They won't give anyone the Reg. Flu Shot if they even have a sniffel!! SO why in HEY are they giving the H1N1 to Sick People!!! And allowing them to stand behind and in front of people who are there BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO GET SICK????
RIDICIULOUS!!! Are the Public Health Nurses, Organizers, Someone in Charge not Smart enough to send the sick people home before they infect hundreds of others.
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