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Huron Expositor, 2009-11-11, Page 7News Health unit hoping for enough H1N1 vaccine.to hold public clinics From Page 1 clinic at the Seaforth arena Satur- day. But, attendance there was also steady but quiet with no line-ups. Clinics for the general public had been scheduled this week in Exeter and Goderich this week but were cancelled because the health unit ran out of the vaccine. "We've had thousands of calls from the general public wondering when they can get the shot and hundreds of thousands of hits on our website," says public health manager Chris- tina Taylor. While localhospitals are report- ing that the current pandemic may have reached a peak, Taylor says . the H1N1 pandemic is not over and peo- ple should be considering getting the vaccine when it becomes available. "It's not over. Typically, it comes back every 18 months so it will be at least next fall until we're done with H1N1. And, this current wave will probably be active for at least anoth- er two weeks," said Taylor. Taylor says the Huron County Health Unit is waiting on another shipment this week. "We're expecting more but we're not in control of the vaccine. We're hoping we'll get enough," says Tay- lor. Hall says H1N1 and flu-like illness has been showing up over the past two weeks at a rate of 23 per cent of emergency visits throughout Huron County hospitals. She says the rate climbed steadily from two to three per cent several weeks ago. "It hasn't increased or decreased this week. We're seeing sort of a pla- teau right now," says Hall. Taylor says that while the major- ity of cases of flu in the area recently were likely H1N1, only those who had lab -confirmed reports of H1N1 should rely on that information when deciding on the vaccine. She says the Huron County Health Unit will be working with the Minis- try of Health over the next few days to figure out the next approach to vaccinations. The Huron Expositor • November 11, 2009 Page 7 Two programs giving nurses a chance to upgrade education Local nurses are being offered two more opportunities to upgrade their skills without leaving home. Donnalene Tuer-Hodes, chief nurse executive with the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance told board members at the November meeting in Clinton last Thursday that Centennial College is offer- ing a new program that will allow RPNs with a diploma a chance to upgrade to a BScN degree, becom- ing RNs. As well, Ryerson University is of- fering a second round of a BScN de- gree program to the Alliance's RN diploma nurses. "It's a great opportunity to grow our own registered nurses," said Tuer-Hodes. The Ryerson program has been offered once before through the Al- liance, when close to 100 RNs were graduated from throughout South- western Ontario including about 25 from Huron and Perth Counties. Ther -Hodes said the Ryerson pro- gram was first offered by bringing professors and instructors to Strat- ford but this time will be offering through teleconferencing with pro- fessors remaining in Thronto. It is a three-year program that can be completed part-time in up to six years. "There will be clinical components but it will be more about project work," she said. The Centennial program is a three-year part-time program. Thirty students, need to enrol for the new program to be offered. Tuer-Hodes said the course is be- ing offered to both acute and long- term setting nurses in Huron and Perth. "There are a lot of job opportuni- ties for RNs - there doesn't seem to be the same shortage of RPNs," she said. Two information sessions will be held on Dec. 2. 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