FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2009
London, ON – Pandemic (H1N1) influenza vaccination clinics across Middlesex-London will be open to high school students starting Monday, November 16th. The Middlesex-London Health Unit made the decision to add high school students to the list of those who are eligible to receive the vaccine, after lower than expected attendance at H1N1 clinics over the weekend.
Along with high school students who want to be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus, next week’s clinics are also open to:
- Elementary school-aged children;
- Children between the ages of six months and less than five years old;
- Anyone with underlying medical conditions, including seniors;
- Individuals who live in a home with a child under the age of six months;
- Individuals who live in a home with someone who has problems with their immune system;
- Pregnant women;
- Health care workers (including first responders).
High School students, students who attend private school or schools in the French Board and those who are homeschooled will have the option of attending any of the clinics being held next week. Students who attend elementary schools in the Thames Valley District School Board and London and District Catholic School Board are asked to attend the preferred clinic identified for their school if possible. Letters detailing the clinic schedule for elementary schools were sent home with these students late last week.
The Health Unit reminds those who are planning to attend any H1N1 influenza vaccination clinics next week that the lineups tend to be longest at the beginning of the clinic, and suggests that some students consider arriving toward the second half of the clinic to minimize wait times.
There are 16 Pandemic (H1N1) influenza vaccination clinics scheduled between Monday, November 16th and Thursday, November 19th. The complete list of all scheduled clinics is available on the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s website at
www.healthunit.com ; updates,
including approximate wait times for each clinic, are also posted frequently online at www.twitter.com/MLHealthUnit.
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit
519-663-5317 ext. 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell)
Spokespersons:
Dr. Graham Pollett, Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit
Dr. Bryna Warshawsky, Associate Medical Officer of Health, Middlesex-London Health Unit