Danilo Ramos was caught off-guard when his four-month-old daughter’s childhood immunization was postponed earlier this week.
The cancellation was part of a scaleback of health services in an effort to provide mass H1N1 immunizations across the city, according to health officials, but the Ramos family is disappointed.
“I understand it’s because of the H1N1 immunizations but I wish they were more prepared. It seems to me they are digging a hole to bury an old hole,” Ramos told Metro.
Ramos is concerned because he said health workers emphasize the need for childhood vaccinations to be given on time.
Alberta Health Services spokesperson Bruce Conway said childhood immunizations are one of the services postponed until Nov. 3 — at which time appointments will be rescheduled.
“It’s really unfortunate but the situation is we needed the staff to give the H1N1 immunizations,” Conway said.
Even with the influx of additional resources, H1N1 vaccine clinic patrons faced long waits in Calgary — with many reporting waits of up to six hours again at the Olympic Oval clinic, just opened yesterday.
Alberta Health Services’ latest pandemic response plan says 25 per cent of Albertans will get H1N1 this fall and winter.
Twelve people have died of H1N1-related causes in the province so far, and thousands of people are now reporting mild flu symptoms.
