Three of the province's four health boards have announced expanded vaccination priority groups for H1N1 shots, with people fitting the criteria able to go for vaccinations as early as today.

The priority groups have been expanded to include people with respiratory illnesses and all children in Grades 4 to 6, among others.

People under 65 with chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis or those with compromised respiratory function due to a physical, neurological or muscular disorder such as ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), multiple sclerosis (MS), spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, quadriplegia or paraplegia can now get the flu shot.

But health authorities say people looking to get the vaccine under the expanded criteria will have to provide proof of active treatment of the disease by bringing in prescriptions, doctors' notes, labelled medications or insurance forms.

Children from Grade 4 to 6 in central Newfoundland will be immunized at schools Tuesday Nov. 17, while children on the west coast of the island will be immunized in schools Nov. 16 and 17.

Parents are reminded to return consent forms to the school as soon as possible.

As well, the entire community of LaPoile will receive the H1N1 vaccine today.

Officials have said that if people in the priority groups are unable to be vaccinated due to limited supply of vaccine, they will be prioritized for vaccination following next week's vaccine shipment.

As part of the H1N1 immunization registration process, people are required to have their MCP card with them when they go to get vaccinated. People are also asked to wear short sleeves or easily rolled up sleeves.

People who fall into the high-risk group are asked to contact the Central Health Pandemic Information Line at 1-877-311-2613 and leave their name, number and location. Central Health will then contact each individual to arrange for immunization. In addition, Central Health will also attempt to contact individuals in this high-risk group who are known to the organization to arrange for immunization.

Meanwhile, two seniors' homes in the Central Health region have been closed to visitors after flu-like symptoms have been reported.

Valley Vista Senior Citizens' Home in Springdale and North Haven Manor in Lewisporte are closed to visitors for the time being and the health authority is assuring residents' families and friends that the needs of residents are being met through ongoing care from staff.

Family members who have questions about the closures can contact each facility at the following numbers and ask to talk with the nurse in charge.

Valley Vista Senior Citizens Complex: 709-673-3936.

North Haven Manor: 709-535-6767.

amorrissey@thetelegram.com

VACCINATION SCHEDULE

Eastern Health has revised its H1N1 vaccination clinic information for today, Friday and Saturday. All clinic hours for today are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and all clinic hours for Friday and Saturday will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.
The respiratory (flu) assessment centre on Ropewalk Lane will be open Wednesday to Saturday from 12-7 p.m.
The revised vaccination schedule is as follows:
St. John's Area
November 12-14
St. John's
Bethesda Pentecostal Church,
1 Escasoni Place
Mount Pearl
Mount Pearl Square, 760 Topsail Road
Mobile
Mobile Central High School
Conception Bay South
All Saints Parish Hall
Portugal Cove -St. Philip's Community Centre
November 13 (One day only)
Bell Island
St. Michael's Parish Hall
Trepassey
Community Health Office
All clinic hours for Thursday, November 12 will be 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
All clinic hours for Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14, will be 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Source: Eastern Health