H1N1 vaccination clinics may be expanded to Ontario schools and workplaces
Toronto - The Ontario government is looking to set up vaccination clinics in schools and workplaces to cope with the demand for H1N1 shots.
The province is under pressure to offer the shot in more places after clinics last week were overwhelmed with long lines.
Health officials said the province is stepping up its efforts by calling in retired nurses and opening more than 30 flu assessment centres.
Health Minister Deb Matthews said Monday that the goal is to inoculate 2.2 million people for the H1N1 flu by week's end.
Ontario's top health official, Dr. Arlene King, said it is possible vaccines will be offered in places of employment and in schools.
But Dr. King said the added clinics will only happen when the H1N1 vaccine is made available to the general public.
The latest numbers from Toronto Public Health suggest 20,000 people have been vaccinated in the city.
Ten clinics will be open again Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. for high-priority groups. For a list of clinics, click here.
The first doses of the unadjuvanted vaccine, recommended for pregnant women, have been shipped out and will be available in the next few days.
There are 82 Ontario residents in hospital with the virus, compared with 14 in August, and there have been 31 H1N1-related deaths in the province to date.
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