H1N1 outbreak means locals being urged to get flu shot

With the outbreak of H1N1 in the province and the deaths of a number of people, Albertans are being urged to get their flu shot.

In Tofield and surrounding area, that would mean going to get immunized at Tofield Public Health located in the Tofield Health Centre, a local pharmacy or doctor’s office. However, demand has created a backlog at the local public health clinic.

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That message has already come through as so many people are wanting to get their shot that Tofield’s public health can no longer take people in the short-term. In fact, they are already booking into the week of Jan. 13th. This means at least a two week wait for both children and adults to get their shot at public health.

This is why program assistant at Tofield Public Health Rhonda Schaelow is urging anyone who wants to be immunized sooner to go to the local pharmacy. However, the pharmacy cannot immunize children under nine years of age.

She advised that this means anyone wanting to get protection for their younger children as soon as possible may have to go to an immunization clinic in Edmonton to get them right away.

… For more see the Jan. 7/14 issue of the Tofield Mercury