Unprecedented vaccination campaign in Laval

For the first time ever, the CSSS (Health and Social Services Centre) of Laval will conduct a massive vaccination clinic at Montmorency College on the 10th, 11th, and 12th of November, with the aim of immunizing up to 8,000 people.

Once again this year, the vaccine will be offered without cost to those considered most at risk, that is people 60 and over, others six months and older with chronic health problems, children 6 to 23 months, the family members of all these people at risk as well as all pregnant women that are at risk.

"This year we will hold only one massive clinic, by appointment, but for 2008 we hope to organize at least four of these clinics, but this time without appointment," says Lise Villeneuve, assistant attached to the General Services Directorate of the CSSS de Laval.

The 2007 clinic is the first step in a three-year plan of action that foresees to increase the vaccination coverage for influenza, with different types of services for each of the three years.

This year, the plan calls for people to make appointments through one of Laval's four CLSCs as soon as possible, that way qualifying for the clinic which in three days will have given out the equivalent of one-quarter of all the doses to be injected in Laval.

Next year, with four clinics, the CSSS aims to increase the proportion of vaccination to 50% of all doses given in Laval.

As was the case last year, other regular clinics will be held throughout the fall and winter at the four Laval CLSCs. In 2006, the CSSS estimates that it gave out 28,000 vaccines in its area of jurisdiction.

"It's imperative that people at risk get a new vaccine each year because the strain of the virus changes," explains Nicole Damestoy, Laval's director of public health. Although each year is different, the risk is always there.

In addition to vaccination, good practices of hygiene such as the frequent washing of hands and avoiding contact with contaminated air as much as possible, can substantially reduce the risk of contracting the virus. These measures will not only contribute to protecting the individual against the virus, they will also reduce the spreading of germs that cause influenza and a host of other communicable illnesses through daily contact with other people.

Photo:vaccination

(Photo: Martin Alarie)

Photo:Pain

(Photo: Martin Alarie)