Immunization Newsbriefs

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April 9, 2001

“Shortage Hampers Vaccine Program: Young Kids Excluded” London Free Press (www.caneo.ca/londonfreepress) (04/07/01) P.

A1; Sher, Jonathan

A recent report in the London Free Press indicates that most children in the London area of Ontario, Canada, cannot get immunized against meningococcal disease due to a shortage of the vaccine.  Because of the shortage, children under the age of 15 years old and all children who live and go to school south of the Thames River are being excluded from the vaccination drive.  Dr.

Graham Pollett—medical officer of health for the

Middlesex-London Health Unit—notes that the vaccine shortage was a factor in their decision to restrict the immunization campaign; however, he said they also took in consideration the fact that all four cases of the disease that have occurred in the area have taken place in north London, and that the age group being targeted is, in fact, the one that is most at risk.  Pollett added that should a need develop to expand the immunization campaign, it would be possible to get more vaccine, although he stated it would not be possible to get more vaccine until April 23.

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.