Long wait for flu shot
[attach]948[/attach]Expanded hours at the North York Civic Centre H1N1 vaccination clinic may have eased the tensions that existed for the days after it opened, but not all residents are able to receive the shot yet.
As of Nov. 6, only those deemed as having a higher risk of catching the bug — pregnant women, families with young children and those with underlying health problems — are being allowed to line up for the vaccine.
“We are waiting to hear from the province when we can start giving it to the general population,” said Toronto Public Health spokesperson Susan Sperling.
When the clinic opened on Oct. 29, the line of people waiting stretched outside the building, around Mel Lastman Square, and just after the station opened at noon, out to Yonge Street.
It was then that healthcare workers began turning people away because there wasn’t enough time to get to everyone before the clinic closed for the day, said Sperling.
To deal with demand, the clinic’s hours have been expanded to 1 – 9 p.m., Monday to Friday and Sunday.
