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Flu shots 110W free for 7Andrew seeking inose over six montfls By IRENE GENTLE The Champion Free flu shots are nothing to sneeze at. Andi in an effort to ease the annual holiday hospital crunch, free public flu vaccinations will as next month. The Province announced in late July that any resi- dent over the age of six rnonths is now cli- Dr. Bob Nosal gible for a free flu shot, Halton's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob NotaI told the Region's Health and Social Services comrnittee Tuesday. Theexpanded programn will boîster Halton's own aggressive vaccination carn- paign. Last year, the Region called for the sweeping immunization of at-risk resi- dents, as well as healthy individuals who corne in contact with st-risk individuals, such as the elderly or ili. That includes workers at hospitala or long-terrn-care fscilities, who risked being sent home for refusing to, take the shot last year. In 1999, about 60,000 Halton residents considered to be in the high-risk category were immunized. In the expanded version, the Minmstry of Health expecta up to 90 per cent of high- riak residents 10 be immunized, as well as 60 per cent of the general population, according to a Regional staff report. If that cornes to pass, some 197,000 additional Halton residents could be immunized by the end of this year. Broad-baaed vaccination is expected to, take place through hospital and communi- ty clinica, school clinica hosted by the Halton Regional Health Departrnent (HRHD) and work clinics put on by employera. AIl this is set to kick off early next month for those in the high-riak category. The general population can expect their irnmunization to, take place in the rnonths of November and December. But broadening the scope of the cara- paign bega the question of who will adrninister the vaccine, said Dr. Nosal. 'The qupstion is who will put the shot in shortage of physicians ail through Haiton." And that deficiency is rnirrored in the nursing field, he added. Offering the vaccine free of charge to, ail residents is meant to prevent rnassive and CORRECTION NOTICE In our September 13-19, 2000 flyer, the foiiowing error occurred: *The HP 6735 Intel Celeron Processor 663 MHz on the front page was advertised in error. It shouid have been advertised with a Processor of 633 MHz. We sincere/y apologize for any inconvenience this May have caused our valued customers. dangerous gridlock in emergency roorna over the Christmas season. But a 60 per cent goal in the general public rnay be tough bo achieve, wamned Dr. Notai. "We'vc oniy been able to get 60 per cent of the at-risk people imrnunized,"' he said. Though theoe's no coat to the public for the shot, the Province will psy the HRHI) $5 for each adrninistered shot. That's rneant to cover the coats of the campaign, inciuding increased staffing. The costa are to be paid up front by the Region, then coliected frorn the Province i the end of the campaign. And that means strict accounting should be kept, said Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale. "I'd like an audit ai the end to ensure we get 100 per cent of tse revenue back," she said. "Otherwisc it's another transfer of health care." But despite its probleras, the beefed up carnpaign received wide support around the cornmittce table. "Aithougli it hasn't been terribly weil- thouglit through, it is a step in the right direction,' said Ms Muivale. Buriington Cýouncillor Lynda Schreiber was anxious to sec the project get off the ground. "I hope we cas overcornd the hurdies," she said. One of those hurdles is stafting coats. tf Provincial estimates are on target, Halton may need to hire or contract the equivaient of about seven new nurses and one clerk during October and December to handie Use demand. "We'll offer it as extra empioyment for own staff," said Dr. Nosal. "But we'il have to hire a significant arnount of staff." Stili, Use benefits outweigh the difficul- tics, he said. "We certainly support it." a second term Halton District School Board Tmstee Erica Andoew is seekitng re-election in Milton. Her fist termni nuie oe wll wrap, up ini November. Duriisg her tenure at the board, "the pace and scope of change in education lias continued to acceler-, ate," said Ms Andrew, "Sehool sys- temns in Ontario face many chaI-- Erica Androw- Té address tlien, Ma Andrew was instrumental in setting sp policy governance modiel for the board, which anas to provside guidling princîplet for the future. '"Tbe duty of a achool board ia to govens Ilirougli sound polieles" said Ms Andrew. lam a strong advocate of a pot- iey governance mtxlel" TlirÔ*ghout lier three-year tenure with the board, Ms Andoew lias at on vanious commiitees and atruggled with thie emtional issue of sehool ciosuires Ms Andrew was alto, at Use forefront of a drive to bring junior kiidergartên 10 Halton. Slie Iecs lier contribution has been valuable to the board ad thec parents and students she standis for. "I have worked very liard to represent Milton and to help provide quality education services and prograins for our stu- dents," said Ms Andrew, 1I arn p.sionately comrnîtted to this mile and to public educalion." MIL TON MALL SALUTES OUR COMMUNITY'S VOL UN TEERS AND THE MANY SERVICES THEY PRO VIDE! Ws Want Tout Alutogvaph! Corne in & sign our car. Make it your car in the 2000 Milton jr Demolitiorlt v The Can ian 1