H1N1 Shots: When Will Healthy Children in Montreal Be Vaccinated?

H1N1 has parents of school aged children in the Montreal area concerned. Already, the peak of the outbreak has been announced in other provinces, but it seems Quebec is just heading into the worst of it. Schools are setting up new policies for health-related absences, and parents are being asked to be specific about a child's symptoms because schools are required to report the number of absences related to flu-like illness.
Waiting to have a child vaccinated, knowing that the flu is going around, is a pretty nerve-wracking experience for parents. It makes me happy that my girls are homeschooled. We are keeping contacts with groups of people down to a minimum for the time being, but I'll rest easier once they've had their vaccines and I've counted the two weeks for the antibodies to be created.

It's not so much that I'm afraid my kids will catch the "plague" and die. But no one likes to see their kids sick, and getting any form of influenza is very unpleasant. Having a son who has communication difficulties makes things harder for us, and of course being six people in an apartment it's difficult for us to isolate a sick child until the risk of infecting the others is passed. So, let's just say that prevention is pretty important for us.

H1N1 Vaccination Clinics Stand Empty

After the initial line-up crises at vaccination clinics health officials faced a great deal of criticism over their lack of preparedness. Kids were waiting outside for hours in the cold and rain, only to be turned away due to vaccine shortages. No toilet facilities were provided, so that parents sometimes had to choose between caring for a child's immediate need to go to the bathroom, and staying in line to receive what at that time seemed like a life-saving vaccine.

Stricter policies, and the institution of coupon or bracelet systems when line-ups are long, has drastically reduced wait times even at the mass vaccination clinic opened in the Olympic Stadium. But now we are hearing reports of clinics standing empty.

In order to be sure there will be no more vaccine shortages, queue jumping is not being permitted at all in Quebec - well, unless you happen to be a hospital board member or a major donor.
This tougher policy has resulted in people being turned away from clinics, even when there are no line-ups and when nurses stand idle. News reporters have asked about taking advantage of these lulls, and been told the Montreal Health Agency has set a policy that does not permit nurses to make any exceptions. My husband walked into our neighbourhood vaccination clinic yesterday, on the off chance that he might be able to secure vaccines for the family while the building was empty, and he was given the same response.

Cost of Idle Nurses? Laval Vaccinates 5 to 19 Year Olds

One can only hope that the lull does not last, and that people in target groups will soon come out for their flu shots, as it can't be cheap to pay nurses to stand around all day with nothing to do. If the anecdotal evidence I've managed to gather is indicative of an overall lack of demand for the shot in target groups, it can only be hoped the Montreal Health Agency will react quickly to adjust their vaccination schedule, as authorities have in nearby Laval.
Laval is now proceeding with vaccination of otherwise health youth from 5 to19 years of age. They feel they have met the needs of other target groups, such as children up to age five, pregnant women, and children with chronic conditions. However, if you or a loved one fall into these groups and you have not yet been able to be vaccinated, you should still be able to be admitted to the vaccine clinic.

Montreal to Vaccinate Healthy Kids After November 19

Unless there is an update to the current plan, Montreal will start vaccinating otherwise health young people, aged 5 through 19 on November 19. People over age 65 with chronic health conditions will be the next target group. Adults over age 20, in good health, are expected to have access to vaccines beginning December 7.

Buses to Take Children for Vaccination

The province is discussing plans to have school children bussed to vaccination centers, but no details have yet been released. A parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form in order for any child under age 14 to receive vaccination in Quebec; this and consent for transportation will have to be ironed out before plans can move forward. Another concern, of course, is dealing with children's anxiety over receiving an injection.
Mass vaccination clinics are not routinely held in Quebec schools, and children are used to having a parent present during vaccines. The health authorities might be better off organizing clinics in the schools, instead, as it has been doing with senior citizens residences. It seems this would permit the children to be vaccinated in more familiar surroundings and would save the cost of chartering buses - something which tends to be very costly here. Having children vaccinated in school could also allow for parents of younger students, or students who tend to be very anxious, to come in and provide comfort while their child is receiving the injection.

Heading Out for Vaccination - What to Bring

On the day of an H1N1 shot, a loose garment that allows easy access to the arm is advised. A Medicare card and proof of residence is also required. If your child is has a health condition and you want to seek vaccination when it is reserved for a priority group, bring a doctor's note, a list of medications, or some other proof of the child's health status. Although you may still be able to get the vaccine without such documentation, the process will be lengthened by screening with a nurse who will evaluate the special need. It's best to go to the vaccination center prepared!

Update November 17th: Children 5-19 are now able to receive the H1N1 vaccine. Parents who can't take their kids should be able to have them vaccinated during school hours.

The following articles by this author provide more information on busing kids to mass vaccination centers:
"H1N1 vaccine costly for Montreal school children"
"Busing kids to vaccination centers"

Sources:
"As flu spreads, temperatures rise over more vaccine queue jumping" Canwest News

"Children to be bused to vaccination centres" CBC News

"H1N1: Jewish General vaccinated top 200 donors" Aaron Derfel (The Gazette)

Pandémie Québec web site

"Quebec boasts fastest vaccine system" CBC News

"Youngest likeliest to be infected, swine flu study confirms" Yahoo Canada News