Roll up your sleeves B.C.
The largest mass vaccination in the province’s history expanded Friday to include everyone who wants an H1N1 flu shot, said Dr. Perry Kendall, the province’s chief medical health officer.
“I have to say that I’m hoping we run out of vaccine quickly,” Kendall said. “Because I’d much rather that happen, than have the vaccine sit unused in people’s fridges.”
Kendall warned against complacency and said unless people get vaccinated there is still the potential for hospitalizations and deaths.
To date, about one million British Columbians have been vaccinated, including those who have the highest risk of complications.
On Monday, the eligibility to receive the H1N1 shot expanded from pregnant women and people with underlying health concerns to include first responders, healthy children and seniors with underlying health concerns.
Demand, however, was not as high as anticipated, Kendall said, with some clinics only operating at 50 per cent capacity.
Kendall also said the Vancouver Canucks jumped the queue when they got vaccinated earlier this week. The team said they got the vaccine after Health Canada expanded the eligibility, which is a provincial responsibility.
