Nunavut releases flu vaccine clinic dates

Nunavut's mass H1N1 flu immunization campaign begins next week with a weeklong series of clinics in Iqaluit, while vaccination teams will fly to communities around the territory.

On Tuesday, the Nunavut Health Department released a schedule vaccination dates. The first clinics will be set up in Iqaluit, the capital city, Nov. 1-7.

A department spokesperson told CBC News the Iqaluit clinics will be held in different locations around the city, such as schools and community centres, over the course of the week.

Teams flying to communities

Communities outside Iqaluit will also have clinics ranging from one to four days in length.

Five teams of nurses and support staff will fly to all communities over a 16-day period in November to help local health-care workers administer the H1N1 and seasonal flu shot to those who want it.

All Nunavummiut over the age of six months are eligible for the vaccine.

A full vaccination clinic schedule, including times and venues, is being finalized and will be posted in the communities.

Health officials say they had to wait until federal regulators approved the vaccine before they could book charter flights for the immunization teams.

The teams are flying on charter flights so they can be flexible in their travel plans in case of bad weather or mechanical problems, or if they need to stay longer in communities with a higher demand for the vaccine.

Chief medical officer Dr. Isaac Sobol said last week that Nunavut has already received enough doses of the flu vaccine to protect 75 per cent of Nunavummiut, and more can be ordered if needed.