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Health officials consider offering H1N1 vaccine to all

A health worker prepares an H1N1flu vaccination at a clinic in Barcelona, Spain. Spain just began its nationwide vaccination campaign Monday; shots are now available to high-risk groups like people with chronic diseases, pregnant women, health care workers, and government employees such as police and firefighters.

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A health worker prepares an H1N1flu vaccination at a clinic in Barcelona, Spain. Spain just began its nationwide vaccination campaign Monday; shots are now available to high-risk groups like people with chronic diseases, pregnant women, health care workers, and government employees such as police and firefighters. (CP)

WINNIPEG - Provincial health officials will decide first thing Wednesday morning whether to recommend opening up H1N1 flu vaccination clinics to all.

The Burntwood RHA, which includes the city of Thompson, on Tuesday removed restrictions on who could be vaccinated.

In recent days, the number of people attending Winnipeg immunication clinics -- particularly in the morning --  has dropped considerably. As of noon, a total of 915 individuals were vaccinated today in Winnipeg — far fewer than in days over the past few weeks.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said in a press release that the clinics were "reporting virtually no wait times" today, and it urged members of priority groups to go and get the shot.

The priority groups include:

  • Children aged six months to under 18 years old;
  • Anyone of Aboriginal ancestry;
  • Disadvantaged individuals (for example, the homeless);
  • People living in remote or isolated areas;
  • People under 65 with a chronic medical condition or other risks including severe obesity, substance abuse or alcoholism;
  • Anyone of any age with a weakened immune system or those who live with or care for them;
  • Those who live with or care for infants under six months old;
  • Single parents or anyone solely responsible for a dependent;
  • Health-care workers and medical first responders; and
  • Pregnant women.

So far, 134,744 have been vaccinated for H1N1 in the city since the start of the campaign.

History

Updated on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 4:06 PM CST:
Updates with information about when decision will be made.

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