But province warns that Nov. 11 clinic, first for general public, remains tentative

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By Nick Moore
Times & Transcript Staff

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For the first time, H1N1 flu shot clinics are being scheduled for the general public in Metro Moncton.

The first general public clinic has been scheduled for Remembrance Day, Nov. 11, at the NBCC Moncton building (at 1234 Mountain Rd.) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More local clinics for the general public have been scheduled to take place later next week.

Of course, the Department of Health says its clinic schedule should be considered tentative at all times. The most up-to-date clinic schedule is available at www.gnb.ca/flu, or by phoning the province's toll-free influenza line at 1-800-580-0038.

For next week, New Brunswick's Department of Health says they expect to receive 40,000 doses of pandemic flu vaccine.

"It's still less than what we were hoping for," said Dr. Eilish Cleary, the province's chief medical officer of health. "But it's better than what we got this week."

This week, the province received about 11,000 doses of adjuvanted vaccine and 4,500 doses of unadjuvanted vaccine for pregnant women. Next week's vaccine supply is expected to arrive on Remembrance Day. Cleary said the holiday shouldn't interfere with the vaccine being delivered.

By the end of this weekend, the Department of Health expects about 140,000 NBers to have been vaccinated -- almost 19 per cent of the province's population.

About 24,000 health-care workers have already been vaccinated in New Brunswick. The province says they expect all pregnant women and First Nations to have been vaccinated by the end of next week.

Those with chronic illnesses under the age of 65 will also receive further instruction, beginning next week, as to when they'll be able to get their flu shots. Cleary said those details were still be worked out.

Cleary said it's possible specialized clinics might be scheduled for those with chronic illnesses, or shots might be given by a patient's specialist.