South West Health announces free H1N1 flu vaccine immunization clinics

South West Health has announced a schedule of free H1N1 flu vaccine clinics that will be held in Yarmouth, Shelburne and Digby counties starting at the end of this week.

The clinics begin will run into December at 13 locations. The public is asked to bring their health cards to the clinics.

People in high-risk groups will also be able to get the seasonal flu vaccine when they attend the H1N1 clinics.

The previously scheduled seasonal flu clinics have been changed due to the H1N1 vaccine clinics. People aged 65 years and older can attend any of the mass immunization clinics to get their seasonal flu shot. Family doctors may also be able to give this age group the flu shot.

At this point, H1N1 vaccine for pregnant women will be available in mid-November. If H1N1 flu rates are high or increasing in the community, women more than 20 weeks pregnant can get adjuvanted vaccine.

Since the H1N1 vaccine arrived in Canada, some provinces have already started their immunization clinics. Medical officers are encouraging the public to get the shots, but some people are wary about the safety of the vaccine. Many people are finding themselves weighing the risk of getting the H1N1 swine flu, against getting the vaccine.

Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer says he understands that people may think the H1N1 outbreak has been blown out of proportion, but health officials are worried about a second wave of the flu hitting this fall and winter. Strang continues to insist that the vaccine is safe.

The following is a list of the free H1N1 vaccine clinics announced by South West Health: •Yarmouth Lion’s Club Hall:

Friday, Oct. 30 from 12-7 p.m.;

Monday, Nov. 2 from 12-7 p.m.;

Monday, Nov. 16 from 12-7 p.m.;

Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 12-7p.m.; •Port Maitland Fire Hall:

Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 1-7p.m.; •Carleton Legion:

Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 1-7p.m.; •Wedgeport Legion:

Mon. Nov. 30 from 1-7p.m.; •Pubnico Legion:

Thursday, Nov. 26 from 12-7 p.m.; •Tusket - Ecole Par-en-Bas:

Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 4-7:30 p.m.;

Thursday, Dec. 3 from 4-7:30 p.m.; •Shelburne Fire Hall:

Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 12-7 p.m.;

Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 12-7 p.m.; •Lockeport Fire Hall:

Thursday, Nov. 12 from 1-7 p.m.; •Islands & Barrington Fire Hall:

Mon. Dec. 7 from 12-7 p.m.;

Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 12-7 p.m.; •Digby Curling Centre:

Mon. Nov. 9 from 12-7 p.m.;

Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 12-7 p.m.; •Saulnierville Legion:

Thursday, Nov. 5 from 12-7 p.m.;

Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 12-7 p.m.;

Weymouth Legion:

Monday, Nov. 23 from 12-7 p.m.;

Freeport Legion:

Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 2-6 p.m.;

More information on H1N1:

NS Health Promotion and Protection:

www.gov.ns.ca/h1n1