Middleton H1N1 clinic runs smoothly

By Lawrence Powell

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

An H1N1 vaccine clinic in Middleton seemed to go off without a hitch Monday, with no long lineups or waits, and only a few tears from the under-five crowd as scores of parents and grandparents from across the Valley converged on the Baptist church hall, youngsters in tow.

Cheryl Clark brought her 2-1/2-year-old daughter Noa from Coldbrook and was at the clinic for less than an hour before LPN Marcella Nichols administered the potentially life-saving dose of vaccine to the toddler. “It was a lot better than we expected,” said mother Cheryl of the clinic.

Stacey Bent, public health nurse with Annapolis Valley Health, said Clark's comments were typical as folks coming into the clinic for 'the wait that wasn't' soon discovered that the media hype and hysteria wasn't the reality in Middleton. She admits that business was fairly steady, but there was a lull. She said she wouldn't be able to say how many doses were delivered until the end of the day, but estimated hundreds were innoculated by 6 p.m.

Vaccine recipients entered through one door, registered at the numerous tables set up for that purpose, waited their turn in a central area on one side of the room, and received the shot when they were called. Once they were innoculated they were asked to go to the other side of the room and wait for 15 minutes.

The clinic, and others like it throughout the Valley this week, were specifically for people in high-risk groups which included pregnant women and women up to four weeks postpartum; all children aged six months to 59 months; and people living in First Nations communities.

Bent said parents thought the setup was great and were very appreciative that the vaccine was available. "And most waits were not that bad," Bent said.

She said the vast majority of those receiving the vaccine were young children who will have to come back for a booster shot in 21 days. But Bent said there were some pregnant women and some First Nations people.

VACCINE SHORTAGE “Unfortunately, at this time we do not have vaccine available for children’s parents, caregivers, or older siblings,” said the Annapolis Valley District Health Authority in a news release. “We will offer more clinics as vaccine becomes available.”

Bent said anyone who showed up and was not in the high risk groups was very understanding once things were explained, and planned to return to future clinics open to the general public. "They were okay with that," Bent said of those who were turned away.

AVDHA had prepared residents for possible long waits, describing them as difficult, especially for pregnant women and young children, and suggested that people eat before coming to a clinic. “Be prepared in case you have to wait outside and consider bringing a snack and drink,” the release said. But if the Middleton clinic was typical, that advice was not needed.

In Middleton 18 immunizers handled the vaccine stored in blue and white coolers. Almost as many other staff helped with registration, answered questions, and kept the flow going smoothly. "They are all very important roles," Bent said.

This week’s clinics (1 to 8 p.m.) included Canning and Bridgetown on Tuesday, Wolfville on Wednesday, and Berwick at the fire hall on Thursday. Bent said once more vaccine is available, more clinic will be held throughout the Valley during the month of November. She said sites have already been booked and the objective is to immunize everybody who wants the vaccine.

For the latest information on H1N1, including up-to-date Vaccination Clinic times and locations, call 811 or visit www.avdha.nshealth.ca.

LATEST INFORMATION

While LPNs like Nichols were administering the vaccine at clinics across the region, other health professionals were on hand at the Valley’s flu assessment clinic, set up in response to the increased volume of patients with flu-like symptoms presenting in doctors’ offices and at various sites in the eastern end of the Annapolis Valley. “In order to open this clinic, Eastern Kings Memorial Community Health Centre (EKM), Wolfville will temporary suspend non-urgent walk-in clinic hours to allow the flu assessment clinic to be located at the health centre,” AVDHA said. “No other services at the EKM will be affected at this time.”

The flu assessment clinic opened October 31 and operates from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. daily until further notice.

This clinic will serve individuals who are experiencing mild to moderate flu-like symptoms and feel they need to see a health care professional,” said AVDHA. “This is not a flu vaccination clinic. We ask while visiting this clinic to please be patient as we anticipate increased volumes.”

The intent of the flu assessment clinic is to provide the community access to a comprehensive assessment to ensure timely care and avoid further transmission. Valley Regional Hospital Emergency Department and Western Kings Memorial Health Centre Outpatient Clinic will be redirecting patients with mild to moderate flu like symptoms to the flu assessment clinic at EKM. “We remind the community for non-urgent care please visit Western Kings Memorial Health Centre, Berwick. For emergency care please dial 911 or visit Valley Regional Hospital Emergency Department.”

The health authority said general infection control practices, such as washing hands, coughing into your sleeve, continually help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including H1N1. Inquires regarding H1N1 can be made by calling call 811. “AVH is committed to provide quality care to the residents in the Annapolis Valley and apologizes for any inconvenience this (assessment clinic) may cause. AVH wants to thank the community in advance for their patience and understanding during this time.”