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First Nations grapple with H1N1 shot plans
64,000 people widely scattered in Manitoba
Last Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2009 | 11:52 AM CT
CBC News
Grand Chief David Harper is working with other First Nations leaders to set up swine flu vaccine clinics in northern Manitoba. (CBC)
Aboriginal people are a priority group to be vaccinated against swine flu, but that could be a challenge in northern Manitoba where reserves are spread far and wide.
"There's about 64,000 people in northern Manitoba First Nations alone ? so which areas are we going to be hitting? That's one of the things that we need to clarify," said David Harper, Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, an organization representing most First Nations communities in northern Manitoba.
First Nations communities were hit hard by the H1N1 virus, also called swine flu, when it emerged in the spring.
The provincial government announced Wednesday that Manitobans would begin receiving H1N1 immunizations on Monday. A list of priority groups has been created, identifying those in line to get the vaccine first. These include people of aboriginal ancestry and residents of remote areas, as well as children between six months and five years of age and homeless people, according to health officials.
The Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and other groups have been meeting this week with officials from isolated communities to discuss swine flu preparations. The meeting is in The Pas, about 500 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
An incident commander was recently appointed for all First Nations communities in the province, and about half of the communities have created emergency response plans.
But before anyone can be vaccinated, First Nations leaders have to determine where people can get the shots.
Some chiefs have said they would likely use their band halls, administering the shots with the help of community nurses.
Harper hopes to know soon exactly when and where people in each community can be inoculated.
"As of Friday, we'll confirm every point of destination for these vaccinations," he said.
64,000 people widely scattered in Manitoba
Last Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2009 | 11:52 AM CT
CBC News
Grand Chief David Harper is working with other First Nations leaders to set up swine flu vaccine clinics in northern Manitoba. (CBC) Aboriginal people are a priority group to be vaccinated against swine flu, but that could be a challenge in northern Manitoba where reserves are spread far and wide.
"There's about 64,000 people in northern Manitoba First Nations alone ? so which areas are we going to be hitting? That's one of the things that we need to clarify," said David Harper, Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, an organization representing most First Nations communities in northern Manitoba.
First Nations communities were hit hard by the H1N1 virus, also called swine flu, when it emerged in the spring.
The provincial government announced Wednesday that Manitobans would begin receiving H1N1 immunizations on Monday. A list of priority groups has been created, identifying those in line to get the vaccine first. These include people of aboriginal ancestry and residents of remote areas, as well as children between six months and five years of age and homeless people, according to health officials.
The Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and other groups have been meeting this week with officials from isolated communities to discuss swine flu preparations. The meeting is in The Pas, about 500 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
An incident commander was recently appointed for all First Nations communities in the province, and about half of the communities have created emergency response plans.
But before anyone can be vaccinated, First Nations leaders have to determine where people can get the shots.
Some chiefs have said they would likely use their band halls, administering the shots with the help of community nurses.
Harper hopes to know soon exactly when and where people in each community can be inoculated.
"As of Friday, we'll confirm every point of destination for these vaccinations," he said.
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