EDMONTON — Starting Saturday, November 14, Alberta’s H1N1 immunization program will expand to include two more groups - individuals 18 to 44 who have chronic conditions as well as household contacts of individuals who cannot be immunized.
On November 14 and ongoing, the highest risk groups will be eligible. They include:
• children over six months and under five years (as of Nov. 1);
• pregnant women;
• people with chronic conditions aged 5 to 64 (as of Nov. 1); and,
• household contacts and caregivers of people who cannot be immunized (infants under six months of age and individuals with suppressed immune systems); and,
• frontline health care workers.
Beginning the week of Monday, November 16, Alberta Health Services will begin to work with communities to arrange for vaccine delivery and availability for first responders including firefighters, police and provincial peace officers.
When more vaccine becomes available from the manufacturer, the targeted immunization program will be expanded to include more groups.
All Albertans who want to be immunized will have that opportunity when increased supply of the vaccine arrives from the manufacturer. To ensure the vaccine can be provided to high risk groups at this time, no exceptions to the identified priority groups can be allowed.
For the most current information on the targeted vaccination campaign, including dates, clinic locations, a list of chronic conditions for high-risk groups and groups being vaccinated, go to: www.albertahealthservices.ca