Vaccine in supply at all five York Region H1N1 flu immunization clinics
NEWMARKET – The Regional Municipality of York is now offering the unadjuvanted vaccine at York Region community H1N1 immunization clinics. This vaccine is only available to pregnant women who have not yet received their H1N1 flu shot.
“We are encouraging pregnant women who chose to wait for the unadjuvanted H1N1 flu vaccine to go to a community H1N1 immunization clinic to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Karim Kurji, York Region’s Medical Officer of Health. “As a group identified in the first priority sequence, it is important they are immunized because they are at greater risk for developing complications from the flu.”
Are pregnant women more likely to get the H1N1 flu virus?
Pregnant women are not more likely to get the H1N1 flu virus than anyone else, but they are at greater risk for developing flu-related complications such as pneumonia and severe respiratory distress. The risk of serious complications increases as the pregnancy advances.
What is the difference between adjuvanted and unadjuvanted vaccine?
An adjuvant is a substance that is added to vaccine to improve immune response. In the case of the H1N1 flu vaccine, the adjuvant includes naturally occurring oil, water and vitamin E. According to Health Canada, all evidence suggests that adjuvented vaccines are just as safe as unadjuvanted vaccines; however adjuvanted vaccines have not been widely tested in pregnant women.
Until now, women in later stages of their pregnancy or those with existing health conditions have been encouraged to get the adjuvanted vaccine. Healthy pregnant women in the early stages of their pregnancy have been encouraged to wait for the unadjuvanted vaccine.
Where can pregnant women get the H1N1 vaccine?
Pregnant women and others identified in the first priority sequence only can get their H1N1 flu shot at one of the five York Region community H1N1 clinics. Clinic locations and hours of operation are available at
www.york.ca/H1N1
Both adjuvanted and unadjuvanted H1N1 flu vaccines may also be available from some participating family doctors.
What are the H1N1 flu symptoms?
Influenza-like illnesses, like seasonal flu viruses and the H1N1 flu virus, are caused by viruses that are easy to catch and easy to spread. Mild symptoms of the flu include a headache, muscle aches, cough, sore throat, fever, fatigue and weakness. Severe symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain and severe or persistent vomiting.
Anyone experiencing severe symptoms, including pregnant women, should seek immediate medical attention.
York Region H1N1 clinics:
|
Municipality |
Location and Address |
Dates and Times |
|
Town of Markham
(Seven days a week) |
8100 Warden Avenue
(former Markham Hydro building) |
November 2nd to December 18th
Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
|
City of Vaughan |
Vellore Village Community Centre
1 Villa Royale Avenue |
October 28th to December 18th
Monday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
|
Town of Richmond Hill
|
Rouge Woods Community Centre
110 Shirley Drive |
November 2nd to December 18th
Monday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
|
Town of Newmarket |
Ray Twinney Recreation Complex
100 Eagle Street |
October 28th to December 18th
Monday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
|
Town of Georgina
|
Kin Community Hall
3 Fairpark Lane, Sutton |
November 2nd to December 14th
Mondays and Wednesdays only
12 p.m. to 8 p.m. |
Map locations and driving directions for each H1N1 clinic are available by
clicking here.
York Region’s flu assessment clinic (Note: The H1N1 flu vaccination is not available at this clinic):
|
Location |
Dates and Times |
|
9401 Jane Street
City of Vaughan
(Seven days a week)
|
Monday to Thursday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
For updated information on this year’s flu season, please visit
www.york.ca/H1N1 or contact York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653.
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Media Contacts: Jennifer Mitchell-Emmerson, Community and Health Services, York Region
Phone: 905 830-4444, ext. 4016 or After-hours Cell: 905 716-9753
Email:
jennifer.mitchellemmerson@york.ca
Patrick Casey, Director, Corporate Communications, York Region
Phone: 905 830-4444, ext. 1235 or Cell: 905 715-8211
Email:
patrick.casey@york.ca
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