As of November 17, 2009, 13183 confirmed cases of H1N1 have been reported in Canada, with 198 individuals falling to the disease. Although our little town of Gananoque Ontario has had confirmed cases, no deaths have been reported. In spite of this, our officials remain wary and vigilant against the spread of the virus. Authorities have recently announced that the H1N1 vaccine is now available to everyone living in Gananoque Ontario. A clinic will be set up at the Kinsmen Club on November 24, with vaccines to be given out to everyone.

Dr. Anne Carter, medical officer of health in the area, issued a statement saying, “Any person, regardless of age or medical condition, can get an H1N1 vaccination.”

Our students and school staff are particularly affected by the spread of the influenza virus, as more and more safeguards and precautions are being put up to prevent contraction of the disease. School staffs are directed to ensure that soap and water are available for regular hand washing, with hand sanitizers placed in the areas where hand washing cannot be done. Frequent cleaning of often used surfaces and items is also regularly done in Gananoque Ontario schools and public places.

Our region’s health unit also requests that parents refrain from sending their children with fevers to school, until it subsides for a full 24 hours.  This has caused a panic among our town’s residents for awhile, but health authorities are quick to thwart the spread of disinformation.

Fellow residents of Gananoque Ontario greeted vaccine for everyone with mixed reactions. There are some skeptics who question the safety and effectively of the vaccines. Global health officials understand this fear – as with all vaccines, some can have reactions ranging from allergies, to more complicated issues. However, they stress that allowing the virus to continue its spread can prove dangerous, citing the Spanish Flu of 1918.

The Thousands Islands Family Health Network is gearing up for the provision of clinics in the Gananoque Ontario area for H1N1 vaccinations among the locals. The vaccine just arrived last week and Phase 1 vaccinations for high risk individuals will start early November.

“We were contacted by the (Leeds, Grenville and Lanark) health unit and asked to participate in the first phase,” Dr. Brian Hart said. “Everyone in this area is working together in terms of vaccinations.”

H1N1 Vaccine for Gananoque Ontario

High risk individuals in Gananoque Ontario include people with pre-existing disease conditions like heart diseases, chronic lung diseases, diabetes, cancer, HIV patients, kidney diseases and those with other conditions that may result to difficulty in breathing. Other high risk individuals are children below 5 years old and more than 6 months, health care workers, household contacts and health care providers of those who can’t be immunized, pregnant women up to 4 weeks postpartum and those living in rural areas remote from hospital care.

If you are one of the individuals mentioned above, you should visit your local health provider and ask about Phase 1 vaccinations. Although most people affected with H1N1 will get better without complications, Gananoque Ontario locals are still recommended to acquire the vaccine as some individuals may react poorly to swine flu.

It is also important to visit or call the local health provider once flu-like symptoms are felt like cough, fever of 38 C or greater, fatigue and significant muscle pain.

Dr Brian Hart said that exact dates and locations are still being confirmed but November 5 and 6 are the most likely dates for the high risk vaccinations. We can watch the next week’s Reporter or ask local health providers for the exact dates, times and locations. Phase 2 is scheduled after the provision of vaccines for high risk individuals so keep posted.