On Tuesday November 10th, Alberta Health Services will begin offering H1N1 vaccine to two new groups of individuals at high risk of developing severe illness related to influenza.
As this process continues, no high risk groups will be removed from eligibility - only new groups added.
On November 10th, the two new groups will be:
• both parents or one parent and one caregiver of infants under six months of age;
• children under 10 as of November 1st with chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes);
The following two groups will continue to be eligible as well:
Infants under the age of six months are at high risk for severe illness and cannot be immunized.
In order to reduce their risk of exposure to the virus, vaccine will be provided to both parents, or to one parent and one caregiver. Proof of the infant’s age (Health Care card, birth certificate or other valid documentation) must be provided by each caregiver.
Parents and caregivers need not bring their infants with them, but caregivers attending clinics alone will need photo ID and a letter from the parent or guardian confirming their role.
The vaccine will also be provided to children under the age of 10 years as of November 1st with underlying medical conditions that put them at greater risk of severe illness related to influenza. Proof of age and a prescription or other record of the child’s medical condition will be required.
At this time, the vaccine will not be available to other Albertans. When more vaccine becomes available from the manufacturer, the targeted immunization program will be expanded to include other high risk groups. Further announcements will be made as more information becomes available on the national vaccine supply.
Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health and Wellness are working to balance the aim of providing the vaccine to as many high risk groups as possible given the limited supply of vaccine on hand.
All Albertans who want to be immunized will have that opportunity when increased supply of the vaccine arrives from the manufacturer. To ensure the vaccine can be provided to high risk groups at this time, no exceptions can be allowed.
For the most current information on the targeted vaccination campaign, including dates, clinic locations and groups being vaccinated, go to:
www.albertahealthservices.ca