Iqaluit flu shot clinic draws lineups

More than 1,000 people in Iqaluit lined up to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine on Sunday, the first day of a 16-day mass vaccination program in Nunavut.

Many came early to Sunday's clinic at Inuksuk High School, where nurses called out numbers and people reported to one of 12 vaccination stations set up in the cafeteria.

"I'm just concerned about the well-being of my children and I guess I want to do everything I can do to make sure they don't get H1N1," said Aluki Rojas, who showed up early with six children.

Despite a lineup that was often backed up out the door, the clinic went smoothly, said Kristine Hutchinson, co-ordinator of Nunavut's mass vaccination program.

"The average wait's been about between 20 minutes and an hour, and that's I think reasonable to go through the whole registration process," she told CBC News.

In Iqaluit, the flu vaccine will be available for the rest of this week at Aqsarniik Middle School. The clinic there runs from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

'All in place'

Unlike in some provinces, where the H1N1 flu vaccine was first given only to priority groups, the northern territories have been offering the vaccine to everyone who wants it.

While some provinces are grappling with vaccine shortages, Nunavut health officials say they do not expect a shortage in the territory.

"We got all of the vaccine that we ordered well in advance," said Dr. Isaac Sobol, Nunavut's chief medical health officer.

"Some other jurisdictions are getting their shipments little by little. We have it all in place, so our projection is we'll be able to give the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines to everybody who wants it without any delays."

Sobol said Nunavut has ordered enough doses of the H1N1 vaccine to treat about 75 per cent of the population.

Nunavut's vaccine order was given priority with the federal government because of the territory's isolated communities.

Rangers to help out at clinics

Five teams of nurses are boarding charter flights to Cape Dorset and Kimmirut on Monday, as they begin administering the flu vaccines in communities outside Iqaluit.

Hutchinson said the clinic in Iqaluit on Sunday gave the nurses a chance to see what they could face in the communities.

"They'll have the process down pat at this point, so this is their day to get used to that and be able to bring that to the communities," she said.

The Canadian Rangers will also be on hand at the community clinics to act as a liaison between health staff and residents, helping out with issues such as translation.

The Health Department has asked the Rangers, who more often take part in search and military-related patrols, to help monitor waiting areas and reception zones at vaccination clinics.

"It's exciting because the Rangers are there to support their own community, and this is the perfect example," said Maj. Luc Chang, commander of the 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group.

"They've worked during 2008 with some scientists, now they will work with the health agency. So it's an interesting time for the Ranger program."

Health officials say they hope to have reached all of Nunavut's communities by Nov. 16.