Minister says debate over vaccine can be held later WAYNE THIBODEAU The Guardian
Now is not the time to play politics with something as serious as the swine flu, Health Minister Doug Currie says.
Currie, a Liberal cabinet minister, would not go so far as to criticize his federal Liberal colleagues for hammering away at the federal Conservatives over their handling of the H1N1 vaccine rollout but Currie said it’s a debate that can be held at a later date.
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff called the government incompetent during an emergency swine flu debate in the House of Commons Monday night. That after long lineups for flu shots frustrated many Canadians as supplies of the H1N1 vaccine dwindled.
“I think right now is not the time to be playing politics,” Currie told The Guardian.
“With respect to the federal party, they have a job to do. But I think right now we have to work together as governments whether it be municipal, provincial and federal and address the needs of the people who we are there to serve.”
Prince Edward Island only received one-tenth of the H1N1 vaccine it was expecting on Wednesday.
The province received 2,500 doses. That will allow the province to proceed with clinics for elementary-aged children in Grades 1-3.
But all other clinics are on hold.
It will be late this week before the province knows how many doses of the vaccine it will receive next week.
The province should be receiving 25,000-28,000 weekly.
Currie maintains he is receiving “positive feedback” from Islanders about the rollout of the vaccine on the Island.
However, an online poll at The Guardian’s website seems to differ with the minister.
The poll shows 51 per cent of respondent believe the province’s rollout of the swine flu vaccine is “a complete disaster.”
The poll of more than 1,800 respondents is not scientific but does represent the views of those who participated.
“Irregardless of whatever initiative or challenge you do take on, you’re going to have your critics. Certainly, people are entitled to their opinion but I feel very comfortable (with the rollout).”
The Health minister contends it is not mass confusion at P.E.I.’s Health Department and the plan is unfolding as it was expected.
“We are very well positioned, we’re well organized,” said Currie.
“The tone is calm, the direction is clear, the plan is in place.”
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frankandEarnest credibility? from capital City, pE Island writes: “The tone is calm, the direction is clear, the plan is in place.”
Is this fellow for real!
In fact there is great concern in the public, we have the realization that this PNP government, cannot handle the issue of distribution etc., people were jumping the line on the very first day, if there is a plan - it stinks and isn't working. Other than a lot of confusion we are on our own. for the most part! Cheer leading from Minister Curie is not helpful.
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Waiting to get sick from pei writes: So let me get this right, we are in week two of the second most major spike of the flu. The news today says the spike should be over by the first week of Dec. The most of the island has no access to the shot yet and when we do get it , it will take about ten days to take affect in our bodies, which puts us into the first(if were lucky) week of Dec or later! I guess most of us can plan on having this flu since the Island is just to little to late to help most of us. I would think by the time the third smaller wave hits 80% or more of us will already have built up a natural immunity from it as we will all have been sick by that point for 10 or more days! How much is the 40% cost of this shot that will do most of us no good now, the province has to pay out of our pockets the 40% the feds don't cover. A little more thought and planning as well as a confirmed amount and shipment date would be helpful next time!!!!!
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Self Assessment from PEI writes: Seems Self Assessment of one's Performance is much more complimentary than Public Assessment!
The Health minister contends it is not mass confusion at P.E.I.’s Health Department and the plan is unfolding as it was expected.
It was expected that the Vaccine Orders were going to be delayed and shortages received!
“We are very well positioned, we’re well organized,” said Currie.
So glad to hear the Long Delay and Shortages and those at Greatest Risk who haven't received their Vaccinations can be seen in such a positive light!
“The tone is calm, the direction is clear, the plan is in place.”
The Public tone is far from calm. The Majority of Public do not feel there is Clear Direction or a Clear Plan in place!
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Quiet Observer from Charlottetown, PEI writes: Everyone is so quick to blame the governments (Federal and provincial) for everything.
Fact is, it is not the government manufacturing this vaccine. It is a private company that can only produce so much vaccine at once. As quickly as they can manufacture it, the two levels of government are working to get it out there, and to those who need it most. But their hands are tied by how quick the company can produce it.
Yes, people have jumped line, but why chastise the government on it, and not the cheaters who jumped line.
All things considered, the Feds and province have done the best they can to get the vaccine out there. fact is, Canada is ahead of every other country in the world on getting its population vacinated.
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just pondering from pei writes: I hope there will be lots of free turkeys available for Xmas. It looks like there may be a financial shortage for more folks than usual due to this flu bug. Also the store owners may find a drop in Xmas shopping for the same reason - sick people keeping themselves away from the public as much as possible.
Right now the biggest problem I have is trying to read between the lines of so much info and see exactly what the symptoms are and how to distinquish them from more common colds, aches and pains. Too much info and a lot of misinfo crowding in from all sides
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Donna from Charlottetown, PEI writes: How dare you, Minister Currie, attempt to manage our emotions! We citizens will feel and say what we darn well please - about H1N1 vaccine management, the politics of it, or anything else. We Islanders are a respectful, decent, peaceful lot, but you and your corrupt, incompetent government have pushed us beyond our tolerance limits. To now try to dictate what we say and when we'll say it is beyond the pale. Who are you, anyway?
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Own it from P.E.I writes: Mr Currie, it is political.
Why did the govt claim there would be enough vaccine for anyone wanting it?
It isnt a stretch to believe that even one death due to restrictions to actually getting the needle is a complete disaster.
If you are that family of a dying or dead infected person you dont look on it as just a statistic, thats a human being behind it.
If we were to put up bios and pictures of everyone that dies from H1NI in Canada it would certainly bring the intensity out.
When it affects you directly its a different story. Hard to ignore .
I think the govt may be better off to get real and apologize and save a bit of face and please learn from this disaster. People know how to decipher the smell test.
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look from charlottetown, pei writes: funny picture they are sitting close together , no n95 masks and there is no habd sanitizer at the table , they must have had the shot .
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