Frustration sets in as H1N1 hits Tantramar Vaccine shortage closes down flu shot clinics, forces officials to enforce tighter restrictions KATIE TOWER The Sackville Tribune Post

Hundreds of parents and their young children from throughout southeastern New Brunswick lined up at Sackville's public health office on Sunday for a flu shot clinic that was targeted at kids from six months to five years old. (Tower)

Confusion and frustration set in on Friday for the hundreds of people who arrived at Sackville's public health office for the H1N1 flu shot only to be greeted instead with a locked door and no one to tell them why.

Amie Carson, 20 weeks pregnant and with three other young children in tow, was all set to get her and her family vaccinated at Friday's clinic and was disappointed with the closure.

"I'm pregnant, I'm considered high priority, and I still can't get one," said Carson.

The mother of three said she was also frustrated that no information was posted on the door of the public health office to inform people of the reason behind the closure or whether Sunday's clinic at Tantramar Regional High School was still a go.

It was learned later that day that a shortage of vaccine forced the closure of several clinics in southeast New Brunswick on Friday, including Sackville's.

Last week's roll-out of the H1N1 vaccine across the province was greeted by long line-ups of people waiting for their shots; but as the vaccine supply started getting low, New Brunswick health officials decided to crack down on the target groups who will get the vaccine.

Dr. Eilish Cleary, chief medical officer of health for New Brunswick, reported on Friday afternoon that any clinics held over the next week or two will be restricting the vaccine to priority groups only - which now includes children between the ages of six months and five years, school-aged children, women pregnant over 20 weeks, women with a chronic disease under 20 weeks pregnant, First Nations individuals, and front-line health care workers.

New Brunswick, along with other Canadian jurisdictions, will be getting a lower-than-expected supply of H1N1 flu vaccine during the next week from the federal government.

The reduced shipments are due to a decision by GSK, the Canadian manufacturer of the vaccine, to temporarily dedicate a production line to produce the unadjuvanted vaccine.

So several clinics scheduled for southeast New Brunswick were postponed over the weekend. Sackville, however, was one of the only areas in the region to offer a clinic on Sunday, one that was limited to only kids from six months to five years old.

Hundreds of parents with their young children arrived at the public health office on Queens Road for the clinic and were moved through the line-up efficiently and fairly quickly, with security on hand throughout the day just in case. A sign posted at the door reiterated that the clinic was only open to young New Brunswick children.

Carson was back in line Sunday at the public health office and breathing a sigh of relief that at least her two youngest children, who both have asthma, would be protected against the virus. But she was still concerned about when she and her older child would be able to get their shots.

"I was told by a doctor to get it, that it was better to get the shot than to get the virus," she said.

H1N1 hits Tantramar

And ironically, just as vaccine supplies run short, the province is being hit with its "second wave" of swine flu this year.

The Tantramar region is no exception; it seems to be now within the clutches of an H1N1 outbreak.

"There is lots of influenza activity going on, probably mostly H1N1," said local family physician Dr. Ross Thomas, who was on call this weekend at Sackville Memorial Hospital's busy emergency ward.

"So far it seems to be a pretty mild illness but there's a lot of people sick."

Thomas said local doctors have been seeing a high number of patients with upper respiratory symptoms, which is typical of what occurs during influenza epidemics.

This has led hospital officials to divide the ER waiting area into two sections to separate those with flu symptoms from those with other complaints.

Thomas said although the virus strikes people of all ages, it seems to be now hitting mostly school-aged kids and university students in the area.

Immunization clinics are still expected to go ahead at local schools - including Salem Elementary, Port Elgin Regional, Marshview Middle, Dorchester Consolidated, and Tantramar Regional High - next Thursday (Nov. 12).

Public health nurses will not be vaccinating any adults at the school clinics, including those parents who are required to accompany their Kindergarten to Grade 2 child.

New Brunswickers are encouraged to frequently check clinic listings at www.gnb.ca/flu during the next few weeks to see the most up-to-date clinic listings in their area. Prior to leaving for a clinic, individuals are advised to ensure that the details have not been updated or changed.

Not everyone, however, is jumping in line for the vaccine despite the wide spread of the virus.

"There's a lot of controversy out there about this vaccine and a lot of the information is contradicting," said local resident Pam McFadden, who arrived at Friday's cancelled clinic with an elderly relative who was hoping to get her flu shot.

McFadden said she's concerned over the possible long-term effects of the vaccine and would rather let nature take its own course if she's struck with the virus.

"I'll let my body build up its own immunity to it."

As for her two school-aged children, McFadden said she will take a 'wait-and-see approach' and decide whether or not to have them immunized if the virus gets worse.

Dr. Thomas said the best way to prevent getting sick is to avoid contact with other people, especially those who are sick. But because that's not always possible, careful hand washing and use of alcohol hand gels is advised. And avoid touching your eyes and nose, the main entry points for the virus.

For those who do get sick, the usual rest, fluids and over-the-counter medications are recommended. Thomas said Tamiflu may be of benefit if given within 48 hours of getting sick but is ideally reserved for people who are seriously ill or have underlying health issues - such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, pregnancy, and under two years of age.

He said a hospital visit is usually only necessary if there is increasing or marked shortness of breath, severe weakness, or confusion; however, anyone in the high-risk groups should have a low threshold for seeking a medical assessment.