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The Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-09-30, Page 6NUS ITEM: ALBERTA STUDY SUG6t5T5 TexTING DoESN'T Nati"' K1DS SPELLING. GAB NEWS GUYS I TODD You I'M A GENIUS .•• TTYL utiartit*Ft / tt 4FY 6 N►O5 . MY Bowl. 15 S11PTY AGAIN. TTYL Lostits urse n sway home To the Editor; Last Saturday I was shopping with my 12 -year- old granddaughter and her friend at the Giant Tiger store in Goderich. When we got to the cashier my I went up and picked it up that day and every - granddaughter realized that she had set her purse thing was in the purse. Money, baby-sitting card, down sometime either while trying clothes on or library card and all the change. just to look. To the person who turned the purse in we say We looked all over the store and could not find thank you. That is how myself and Sarah were the purse at all, at the same time the staff was very brought up and we are so happy there are still hon - helpful in helping us look for the purse. est people in this area, probably more than we will We thought that the purse was probably gone ever know. and asked the staff if it should happen to show up Again thank you to the person who turned the would they call, as Sarah had $45 she had saved purse in and the staff at the Giant Tiger in Goderich from baby-sitting and other chores. for making a bad day a good one. We left the store thinking she would never see - her purse again. Sarah Leyten, Exeter Sarah got a call at her Exeter home on Monday Mary Alexander, Clinton to say the purse had been found at the store. Letters opinion Page 6 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesi. ay, September 30, 2009 www.goderichsignalstar.com Proprietor and published by Bowes Publishers, P.O. Box 220, 120 Huckins Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 4B6 EDITORIAL Clarity needed on vaccine issue The flu shot message continues to get somewhat convoluted and confus- ing as we head into the influenza season. And people are looking for, and should reasonably expect, some clarity about this potentially dangerous health issue. Canada's public health response to the flu is getting confusing as different provinces roll out different vaccination programs, acting on information and results from preliminary scientific studies. In Ontario, for example, it was announced that the province would delay the rollout of the regular seasonal flu vaccine for most people until after they have been offered immunization to the H1N1 pandemic virus. The decision by provincial health authorities was offered partly in response to a preliminary Canadian research that suggested that patients receiving the seasonal flu shot could increase their risk of contracting the H1N1 virus. The research, which has not been published or validated, is causing provincial health organizations to rethink the vaccination program. One province has moved up its seasonal vaccination program, one month ahead of the H1N1 program that is scheduled to start in November when vaccine is widely available. Others have taken similar steps to Ontario's lead, delaying the seasonal flu campaign until people have had the H1N1 vaccination. The recent announcements, that residents of Ontario should be vaccinated for H1N1 before seasonal flu shots are administered, on the premise that the regular program could increase a patient's risk of contracting H1N1, are confusing and disconcerting. Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. David Butler -Jones called the finding "unusual" and one that has not been seen before with seasonal influ- enza vaccines. He said it has been studied extensively in several other coun- tries and they have not found the same relationship. The results are based on studies from British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario and can't be considered conclusive until validated. Canada's chief public health officer said he is planning to get immunized for both types of flu strain despite the fact that the H1N1 virus is expected to be the dominant influenza strain that will affect people this flu season. The point remains that Canada's public health agency could have done more to prevent or remove the confusion from this important health issue. People will undoubtedly react to the findings of the studies and will be unclear about the direction to take with flu vaccination this fall. Given the information that has now been made public, most people will reasonably wait for the H1N1 vaccination in their area and completely dis- regard the seasonal flu shot. That seems to be the clear message from our health authorities. And what Canadian would now risk a regular flu shot, knowing the potential risk of contracting the more virulent H1N1 virus. Distribution details have yet to be worked out in Huron County and when the vaccine is made available, it may simply be administered in the physi- cian's office. Information on the release of the vaccine, expected to be sometime in November, will be updated on the health unit's website. Thisis an important health issue for Canadians and people should expect some clear direction and guidance from its public health agency. Hopefully, some clarity on the. issue will arrive before the H 1 N 1 vaccine. (D. S. ) NNNN The Goderkh Signal -Star. published every Wednesday at Goderich. Ontario is one of 77te Signal -Star Publishing Group of Community Newspapers, a division of Bowes Publishers. The Goderich Signal Star shall not he liable for failure to publish an od for typographical errors in publication except to the extent of the cost of that portion of the ad in which the error occurred The Goderich Signal -Star reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement. The Goderkh Signal -Star is a proud member of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) and The Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA). GUIMIMIRMINA Editorial Deadlines... All Advertising Deadlines... Entertainment, Births, Deaths, In Memoriams... Classifieds... Display Advertising... Friday at 2 pm Friday at 2 pm Telephone Fax.... Publisher... Reporters... 519-524-2614 519-524-5145 Dave Sykes Dominique Milburn Gerard Creces Denny Scott • Classifieds & Subscription... JudyAustin Accounting... Rhoda Butt Mary Johnston Office Manager... Janet Shrier Display Sales... Advertising Manager... 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