H1N1 vaccine strategy bungled, opposition accuses

As hundreds of more cases of swine flu are reported across Canada, questions are being raised about the vaccine contract and why NHL players were able to skip the priority sequence.

CTV News Channel: Dr. Neil Rau on talking to kids

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Neil Rau gives some advice on what children should know about the H1N1 swine flu.

CTV British Columbia: Leah Hendry on the cases

Three more people have died from H1N1 in B.C., and health officials are expecting more people to be hospitalized, as well as more deaths.

CTV Calgary: Karen Owen on clinic reopenings

Vaccination clinics will reopen on Thursday, but only a select few will qualify for shots.

CTV Calgary: Sage Pullen on the Flames shots

The Calgary Flames and their families were given priority for the H1N1 vaccine.

CTV Edmonton: Serena Mah on the revised plan

The province unveiled a revised H1N1 vaccination plan Tuesday that will target children under the age of five first starting this Thursday.

CTV Edmonton: Scott Roberts on the Flames' shots

While Albertans stood in line for hours on end last week to get vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus, the Calgary Flames hockey team was vaccinated ahead of the general public at an off-site clinic under the direction of Alberta Health Services.

CTV Winnipeg: Rachel Lagac� on the absenteeism

Officials at some schools are seeing about 10 per cent of students staying home sick, many with flu-like symptoms.

CTV Montreal: Vaccination plan altered

The growing public frustration over the handling of the swine flu vaccination program is forcing the hand of public health officials. Cindy Sherwin has the details.

CTV Montreal: Bolduc unveils new strategy

Quebec Health Minister Yves Bolduc says a coupon distribution system will be implemented in an effort to reduce the long lines and confusion at some vaccination centres. John Grant has the details.

CTV Toronto: Pat Foran on the business of flu

A number of companies will be making a tidy buck off products such as hand sanitizers and vaccines. Unfortunately, some scammers are operating on the Internet.

CTV News Channel: Dr. Michael Gardam, disease expert

A doctor with the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion explains why it will take a very long time to get everybody vaccinated against H1N1.

CTV Toronto: Galit Solomon on the outbreak

Another Toronto hospital is turning away patients after an outbreak of swine flu was detected on its premises. Galit Solomon reports.

CTV News Channel: Dr. Arlene King with an H1N1 update

The provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Arlene King, provides an update on Ontario's response to the H1N1 flu pandemic.

CTV Edmonton: Province to unveil revised plan

The province is set to unveil its plan for round two of the H1N1 clinics across Alberta Tuesday.

CTV Calgary: Karen Owen reports on the new rules

The province is unveiling its revised plan for H1N1 vaccination clinics.

CTV Calgary: Sage Pullen on the private clinics

The Calgary Flames organization says all their players, and their families, have received the H1N1 vaccine. The shots were given at a private location so the team and their families wouldn't have to wait in line.

CTV News Channel: Amin Mawani, Schulich School of Business

A director at the Schulich School of Business says absent workers due to H1N1 could lead to low productivity in the work force. He also says the swine flu may have a negative impact on the already lagging economy.

CTV News Channel: Graham Richardson in Ottawa

CTV's parliamentary correspondent says the Liberals are trying to connect all the problems with the swine flu vaccine directly with the prime minister.

CTV Montreal: Cindy Sherwin on swine flu campaign on the west island

There's a new swine-flu vaccination site on the west island. Health workers and volunteers are being given priority.

CTV Montreal: Swine flu reality check

Todd talks about the swine flu with with Dr. Paul Saba, a physician at Lachine hospital.

CTV Ottawa: Do you know what you need to get the vaccine?

Do you know what you need to get the vaccine?

Canada AM: Dr. Marla Shapiro, medical expert

CTV's medical expert Dr. Marla Shapiro clears up the confusion on what flu shot people should be lining up for and what to do if you are still waiting for the H1N1 flu vaccine.

Canada AM: Provincial health ministers on vaccinations

Saskatchewan Health Minister Don McMorris and Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthew discuss their strategies for releasing the vaccine to Canadians, and how the reduction in supply from the federal government is hampering efforts.

CTV National News: Graham Richardson reports

Wide criticisms of swine flu vaccine shortages across the country prompted an emergency debate in the House of Commons Monday.

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Liberal leader Micheal Ignatieff speaks during an emergency debate concerning the H1N1 flu and the supply of vaccines in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ont., Monday, Nov. 2, 2009. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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Why doesn't Iggy just go into his garage and make up a million or two more doses if he thinks it's so flippin' easy to get more.....

Chad In London

H1N1 vaccine strategy bungled, opposition accuses

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H1N1 vaccine strategy bungled, opposition accuses

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Tue. Nov. 3 2009 2:31 PM ET

The Opposition is demanding to know how the Harper government could bungle so badly the swine flu vaccination program.

During an emergency meeting in the House of Commons last night, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff called the government simply, "incompetent."

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq responded by saying the situation with this pandemic was difficult to predict but they prepared as best they could.

"Six million doses were produced ahead of schedule. As soon as they were available and authorized, they were transferred to the provinces and territories for their rollout. We will see thousands more this week and a million more next week," she said.

She added that thousands of Canadians are getting shots and said there will be enough vaccine by Christmas for every Canadian who wants it.

But the problem for many Canadians this week is that there is now a sudden shortage, just as demand is at its most intense.

That's because vaccine maker GlaxoSmithKline announced last week it will only be able to produce about 400,000 doses of the vaccine this week instead of the million or so doses expected, while it turns its focus on producing non-adjuvanted vaccine for pregnant women.

While there had always been plans to produce the non-adjuvanted vaccine, federal health officials say they didn't expect the production would cause such a huge shortfall in the vaccine for the rest of the public.

Aglukkaq told Canada AM Monday that "GlaxoSmithKline overestimated their ability to produce the adjuvanted vaccine while they focus on unadjuvanted vaccine."

Ignatieff said the Conservatives need to take responsibility for vaccine shortages rather than blame the drug companies.

"Instead of taking responsibility the government blames everybody else, they blame the drug company because they don't have a supply next week; they blame the provinces and territories. 'We don't deliver health care,' they say," he accused.

Aglukkaq rejected the Liberal leader's claim that they are blaming other parties, saying they are using a pandemic plan that was "built on years of collaboration with provinces and territories and the medical community."

Access to vaccine tightly restricted

Meanwhile, long lineups continue this week for flu shots. Some provinces have been forced to close clinics and are warning that supplies of H1N1 vaccine are dwindling.

Provinces such as Alberta and Ontario which once promised to vaccinate anyone who was willing to wait in lineups as long as seven hours, are now imposing tighter restrictions this week.

In Alberta, the remaining doses of a dwindling supply will be used to vaccinate pregnant women and children between six months and five years of age. Later, vaccination programs will focus on people under 65 with chronic health conditions.

In Saskatchewan, health officials say they too have just enough vaccine on hand for pregnant women and children under the age of five, while other high risk groups will have to wait for now.

But they add vaccine will be offered to students from kindergarten to Grade 6 starting later this week. The vaccine is to be in schools by Friday and community clinics will also give shots to primary school children. Immunization clinics for the general public that were supposed to start Nov. 16, meanwhile, have now been delayed.

Nova Scotia is restricting access to shots to four groups: pregnant women, children under five, people in First Nations communities, and health-care workers.

In Ontario, they are limiting the vaccine to just those under five years of age, pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions. Those caring for those who cannot be vaccinated are also considered high-priority.

"We are restricting for the rest of this week to those high-priority groups," Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews told Canada AM Tuesday. "We will roll out the next phase as we get more certainty about supplies."

She added that the province is on target to get the 2.2 million doses that it now has into Ontario arms by the end of the week.

Also, the Public Health Agency of Canada has begun delivering vaccine without an adjuvant to the provinces and territories to be offered to pregnant women. The plan is to have dispersed almost 225,000 doses by week's end.

With reports from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Ron
said
0 0

Iggy's still trying to find an 'issue'.

Going to acknowledge Liberal weakness for SARS in 2003?

Didn't think so.

The Pandemic response plan developed resulting from SARS acutally predicted this scenario. The drug makers simply can't make the vaccine fast enough for "paranoid demand".

The Federal Government is not responsible for "Queue Management". So it's pretty hard to hold them accountable.

The fact they've purchased enough vaccine for all who want it is really to their credit... right?

jackie
said
0 0

No matter who is in power its the other party's fault, work together for the people and stop trying to make this into a political issue.people are dying have some protocol.l

Samantha - Ont
said
0 0

I'm still waiting for my SARS vaccine from the Liberal Govt of 2002/2003. At least I know I'll get my Flu vaccine by Christmas.

charlie
said
0 0

Well, after seeing that display of cheap opportunism in the "emergency" debate last night, I can safely predict one person who will never be on the short list for an Academy Award - except possibly for comedy. Sorry Bob, you will not make best supporting actor either.The cheap theatrics and crass attempts to throw blame at the government for something that is really beyond their control (or responsibility) is astounding. Yet, we can still try to scare people and blame that old scary Harper, right?! I have had it with the blame game. If you are so upset Mr. Ignatieff, bring down the government - you know, a non- confidence motion (I know, I know, that didn' t work so well last time, did it?). If you want to criticize, PLEASE tell us what you would have done differently. Just like your magic economic plan, for which I am still waiting, your health issue criticisms are like a magic hat, absent the rabbit. Vote for us, we have a real solution - for any and all problems - just choose a problem and we have the answerin this bag, which we can't let you see until you vote for us. The mind boggles.

Rachael
said
0 0

I think the only reason, they are so desperate to get EVERYONE vaccinated is so they can say,"See how effective our vaccine was? That way they can start getting next years batch ready for the masses. If we all come through this swine flu, relatively unscathed, without taking the H1N1 shot, what will they have to work with? They wouldn't like to have to admit, that the shot really wasn't necessary for everyone.

Kadjere
said
0 0

The main components that would have mitigated the current H1N1 controversy include: supply, procurement, access, distribution and communication. If there was ever an effective strategy, I suspect it was not written in gold. Strategies are dynamic and are meant to be revised to address changes that evolve with events. While I�m in no way condoning with the Government�s reaction and lack of a proactive approach, I at the same time believe that crying out loud by the Liberals is beginning to politicize this nightmare. Criticisms can still be made without highlighting partisanship!The Minister of Health in an attempt to address some of the issues has tried to convince us that there has been no finger pointing. This by no means is an answer to the problem. I do see some contradictions in some of her interventions. For example in one case she indicates that the manufacture - GSK did not deliver as promised. In yet another case, she states that provinces and territories had their own respective and different approaches.What I believe the policy makers need to do at this stage is to quickly review their current strategy; if indeed there is one. During an epidemic and more so a pandemic as in this case, time becomes of essence and a luxury many cannot afford. We are talking about potential loss of lives and as such a need to get every key stakeholder involved cannot be over emphasized. A more inclusive strategy will go a long way in addressing many of these shortcomings. I therefore appeal to all parties to PLEASE put all your thinking caps together and mitigate the confusion, agony and frustration currently being experienced by the general population.

Ian Ottawa
said
0 0

Iggy and his band of drones are again grasping at straws. Lets have the election they keep threatening us with and let the people decide his fate.

Flippant Liberal Needs Attention
said
0 0

and we should believe a word from this guys mouth?

Ralph
said
0 0

Just more stupid whining from Iggy.

He should stop for a minute and realize the task of manufacturing millions of doses of vaccine in a few months, and then coordinating everything for delivery is absolutely enormous.

It's a remarkable achievement to do as well as we have. No small job for sure.

crystal
said
0 0

im just frustraited at the fact that they have piorety groups but every time i go to one and wait in line to get my 7 mth old the shot we are turned away because other people that are not in the piorety group are getting them and well they dont have any left at the clinic what should have been done with the priortising is have some clinics for just 6 mts - 5 years have another for pregnant women and another for the rest of the groups that is how it should have been done to avoid the problems we are now in

Elizabeth, Ontario
said
0 0

Iggnatief is, once again, blowing wind to get media attention. At a time like this, when people are in panic mode, we do not need Iggy trying to use this pandemic to reflect attention away from his crumbling party. Health care is provincial. Manufacturer delays are not the fault of the government of Canada. Iggy needs to sit down and look stupid rather than opening his mouth and, once again, proving it!
McGuinty, in Ontario, has made a mess of the distribution of H1N1 shots. McGuinty Liberals in Ontario have made a mess of health care. Instead of the flu shots being given by provincially operated Health Units they should be administered through family physicians were it can be done, on a priority basis, in a timely and orderly fashion. Clinics should be set-up at schools and for those unfortunate individuals who have no family physician.

w brown
said
0 0

Ibelieve its more the provincial goernment lack of planning and or fore sight. They pushed everyone to get a shot and then don't control any part of the it other than opening 4 clinics for 1million people (not sure they planned it as a control method)and yet still can't for see any short falls and can't understand why the public is frustrated at long line ups as wella ssay its "our" fault for not listening. Come ED be a man admit mistake and fix it.

Tom-Eric
said
0 0

Since many don't watch the parliamentary debate yesterday... The strongest voice in regards to this matter came from the bloc, iggy hardly spoke in comparison.

The issue is simply this:

There were SIX companies able to make the vaccine that a committee looked at. Only one was chosen. First to produce regular flu vacinne, then swine flu vaccine and then non-adjuvanted vaccine.

It is only able to produce one at a time, the trick that the government missed and what brought up time and time again last night...

Why did the government NOT consider having MULTIPLE suppliers so that they could produce everything at once?

Why was Canada one of the LAST countries to approve the vaccine?

This means that when the experts expect there to be a PEAK in cases of the flu the majority of people will NOT be vaccinated, it just wasn't made available soon enough.

Also... WHY didn't the provinces distribute by priority like they agreed? BC did.... Alberta vaccinated the Flames while others wait in line.

What is this?

GC in Ont
said
0 0

Iggy, are you going to do anything for the betterment of Canadians or is it all about toppling the Gov't?

reidjr
said
0 0

rowan09It does not seem to affect those over 65 with out with out medical conditions.Those under 65 with other medical conditions seem to be the ones at a greater risk along with young kids and women expecting.

Paul de T.O.
said
0 0

This is just the latest example of the CONS history of incompetancy and their blame game.

Becky of Calglary
said
0 0

Well it has been publicy advertised to get flu shot for quite awhile now creating panic. I am not getting it so that's one less.However all the advertising and scare tactics, not to mention the deaths and they run out???????Amazing this gov't. and Health Minister talks in circles.

Edmonton Jim
said
0 0

Poor job by this government. Delays in vacinne production, mixed messages leading to confusion and long lineups. If this government would have spent as much as they did on partisan ads to try to enhance their political standing a lot of this could have been avoided.

Dee
said
0 0

I think they went about the whole thing the wrong way. It would have been a better plan to give the vaccine to family physicians. Most family physicians run in office flu clinics every year and are organized and efficient at delivering this sort of health care. Doctors office staff would follow the protocol of high risk first, then vaccinate their patients according to the criteria. It would have stopped all of this endless hours of waiting in line for people who are frail health and actually increasing the possibility of them being exposed to influenza. Public health should concentrate on those who do not have family practitioners and offering the vaccine in schools, extended care facilities, et cetera.

For Rowan
said
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Rowan,No way in hell do we not have concern for our seniors!The vast majority of seniors were exposed to this virus decades ago, therefore you're somewhat protected moreso than small children that have no exposure to this flu! Stats don't lie Rowan. Very, very few people in their 40's, 50's, 60's and even 70's and beyond have had any major complications from the H1N1. You simply aren't affected!Do a bit more research, speak to a doctor, etc and you'll find that it's the children that need to be taken care of, not us adults!

Alysha Ont
said
0 0

Health care is Provincial jurisdiction Iggy and not Federal. The Federal Gov't is purchasing the vaccine to be delivered to the provinces who innoculate the citizens. School Boards do NOT have the authority to vaccinate any of the students. School Boards get their directions from the Health Dept just like you and me.I am appauled to hear Iggy mouthing off again over the short supplies of the vaccine and blaming the conservatives. How would you have done anything differently Iggy? Would you have gone into the Pharmacies and personally invented a new supply? Woww the Liberals are always taking cheap shots at everything in Canada .Time to retire this group.

Stuart902
said
0 0

I would like to see the media stop pushing the panic button for Canadians by adding too the mass hysteria about the H1N1 vaccination story. It has been overwhelming the amount of coverage on this one story. At this time we need Canadians to stay calm and respect the fact that we are dealing with an unfolding situation. I am sure that most reasonable people understand that everyone in Canada can't get a shot in two weeks. All opposition parties federally and provincially right acrosss this country reguardless of party are not serving the public by adding to even higher anxiety levels for people. This is very serious and frightening for alot of people. It is also a situation that Canada has never experienced before. I know there are many others that feel the way I do. Let's try to help one another instead of playing a blame game for political points. It is counter productive.

Rob O
said
0 0

I agree with Dave in North Van, maybe Iggy should move back to the US and weather out the storm there. Liberals and H1N1 have alot in common sucking the life out of Canadians.

brian nwo
said
0 0

typical iggy pop, doing nothing to help the flu situation for canadians. our familly got our shoots in only 45 min. thx to the planning of the thunderbay health unit. very efficent. they ought to have a shot 4 big mouth disease, iggy could use a couple. keep up the good work pm harper.

rowan09
said
0 0

why are people over 65 not worth this vaccine? Have we done our bit and are no longer usefulAccordng to the groups I read I understand over 65 are not at risk. how can anyone say that collectively all over 65 are healthy.

reidjr
said
0 0

STOP THE MADNESSSo by your logic stop the vaccine of the h1n1 and the reg and see what happens.

André in Ontario
said
0 0

They didn't move fast enough in the spring this is why we have the problems we have now. Very similar to them identifying the recession.

Pissed and sick
said
0 0

Another point of concern that no one seems to have addressed is why are the schools not doing something to prevent the spread of this bug? Alot of schools have half the attendance as normal, yet lets throw all the kids in one cesspot gym to have a Halloween dance, or because they can't get supply teachers, lets throw three grades in class!?!?! What the hell is wrong with this picture??? Its no bloody wonder its spreading like wildfire! But alas my whole damn family already has it so there is no point in arguing over who is going to get the vaccine! Im sure as hell not going to inject me and my family with a wack of unknown chemicals, when we've already had it!!!!! Wake up folks by the time you get vaccinated, YOULL ALREADY HAVE HAD IT.

Cara B, NS
said
0 0

To answer the question of a few of you, Canada initiated and signed a contract with GSK long ago for GSK to guarantee sufficient vaccine to cover all Canadians in the event of a pandemic. I do not recall what the terms of delivery were said to be. At that time, it was regarded as one of the most proactive moves in pandemic planning of any country worldwide. Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20 and perhaps it was or was not the right move, I am not the one to say. But that is the reason that we are relying on GSK alone to supply vaccine to Canada, and not sourcing from other manufacturers.

Alex (Edmonton)
said
0 0

The federal government didn't do anything wrong - health care isn't its responsibility. People have a right to be angry with many provincial governments for not restricting the vaccine to high-risk people from the start, but blaming the feds is pointless. Their job was to take the vaccine supplied by the manufacturer and then hand it on in a fair manner to the provinces. Aglukkaq and Harper did that.

Norman
said
0 0

Iggy's blast of the Feds shows he's been out of the country too long. Under the Constitution health-care is a provincial responsibility. The supplier is a private enterprise multi-national that promised the world and delivers peanuts.I n the 1950s I remember Canada and its provinces organizing the highly effective polio vaccination program. Have you heard much about polio ever since? As a nation we seem to have forgotten how to pull together and get the job done. So what will happen when we get a real plague like SARs of ebola or small pox raging through the nation?

Dave in Peachland
said
0 0

All a moot point. As a regular healthy 46 year old male I don't have access to the vacine until the end of the month anyhow. By then I will have been exposed to the virus form my kids or co workers so what is the point? Please return my vacine shot and save the taxpayer money. Too little too late!

Ontario Mom
said
0 0

Point the finger back and forth and the problem is still there. Politics... a " Health Pandemic " falls under politics instead of public health solutions.Stop wasting time and energy people on the negativity. The stress alone will reduce your immunity and leave you open to whatever else is out there!A word on progress...our southern ontario region clinic had me wait 5 minutes to get my kid vaccinated and 1 hour for spouse. Not too shabby. One thing I wasn't aware of is <10 years still are requiring 2 part vaccinations... too bad they don't offer regular flu at the same time at h1n1. Consistency is what this country and individual provinces needs... Lose the power trips already decision makers at all levels.

David A
said
0 0

My main comment about this H1N1 issue is CTV's coverage...most of us expect opposition parties to politize this and other important issues for the Canadian public. I believe most of us do not care anymore what Ignatief, Layton and most certainly Duceppe think about anything...but all we tend to see on your station is clips from these three, please spare us or at least make sure equal time is given to our PM, Mr. Harper and/or his ministers..............if we want biased, unequal, incomplete coverage we'll all watch CBC !!! Thank you

Jim McB
said
0 0

I just looked at the numbers on the CTV Question of the Day. It would appear that the public believes it was Ignatief who has bungled this one!The poor pathetic man can do nothing right; he must have a special talent!

Kaye
said
0 0

I recall as a child and in the case of my own child when mass vaccinations were required, they always delivered in the schools for children attending. Parents signed the permission slip and the vaccine was provided. This is the process that should have been followed as well for this vaccine as we know most adults with children contract the virus from their child. That would have helped reduce the spread of the h1n1 virus right out of the gate and would have eased the clinic line ups as well. Providing doctor's offices with the vaccine as well would have helped as persons with familty doctors could have gone there so clinics for the most part would be used solely by those with no family practitioner. What is so difficult with this process. It is what has been used for all other vaccines/flu shots so why not try to follow the same process for this as much as possible with the vaccine allotment available. Why reinvent the wheel.

Bongs
said
0 0

CYL
said
0 0

The only people to blame are the ones who made announcements without the facts and lack of commitments of the manufacturer. Another thing is location which may not be practical for those who do not want to go to the crowded clinics which are not convenient.Another thing is the rush to produce this vaccine not knowing the long-term or side effects but they are ready to jab everyone's arm from being convinced by some doctor who doesn't know their facts either.This is very badly organized and not even Mcguinty's word can convince me.

H. R. R.
said
0 0

Why are people making this a Conservativ/Liberal thing? The point is people want to be innoculated but there is a shortage. Some people have died and many are still being turned away. The bottom line is there isn't enough vaccine for everbody. Stop blaming each other and just do somethig about it! Sheesh!

PV
said
0 0

The government is actually doing you a favor. Come on people, wake up.The media reports every swine flu death, yet never any about the regular flu. There have been 1000 swine flu deaths, yet every year there are 36,000 deaths by regular flu, but they call the swine flu a "pandemic".The vaccine makers own studies show the swine flu vaccine is unsafe and they refuse to be liable for any deaths and/or injuries associated with it. Yet, people are lining up to either breathe in the live virus through a spray (thus breathing it out for others to catch) or inject it into their arms.I can see their scare tactics are working... but not as well as they'd hoped. People continue to wake up to the risks and there are less people willing to take this poison.

MARG MM
said
0 0

Apparently Michael Ignattief hasn't been in Canada long enough to realize that the Provinces and Territories administer health care.The guidelines were given, and individual Provinces made their own decisions on who should get the vaccine first. Unfortunatly, there were way too many selfish Canadians, who thought they should be first, in place of those at higher risk..As a matter of fact it was a Liberal MP, who last week was stating that they should be first in line as they are shaking hands on a daily basis. Why don't you simply stop shaking hands and wait your turn!!!!Once again the Liberals grasping at straws and using a serious virus to gain political points.

Janet Gnatiuk
said
0 0

I think governments at every level failed on this one big time. Clinics were not run the way they were supposed to be. I was of the understanding that children, pregnant women, health care workers, and people with underlying medical conditions were to get priority. That's certainly not what happened in Sydney, NS. My husband & I both have underlying medical conditions & were going to go for our shot when I got off work on Friday, Oct. 30 (the 1st clinic); however, we heard on the radio that the clinic was closing early due to a shortage of vaccine. We decided to go Monday morning, the next scheduled clinic, but heard on the news that they would only be taking children under 5, pregnant women, health care workers, and First Nations people, so here we were again unable to get our shots. The clinics were run poorly from the beginning & the way they were run on Monday is the way they should have been run in the first place & then moved on to the general public later in the week and/or when additional supplies became available. I don't think the right hand knew what the left hand was doing. The only consolation was that my husband was able to get our 15 month old grandson vaccinated on Monday. Another case of government(s) rushing in not knowing what they were doing. They certainly had adequate time to prepare for this as they knew the second wave of H1NI was coming. They fell down on the job yet once again.

Mr. Perfect
said
0 0

Wow, so many perfect analysts here, with a crystal clear view of how to run everything in life. That said, Canada should simply be lightyears ahead of every other nation. There should be a huge demand from other countries to have Canadians come and run them. It can't be the governments fault because we years of Liberal rule and ruin along with other parties. Hmmm, do you think there's a gap between theory and practical? You know, its' easy in the text book, but when the rubber hits the road life doesn't always provide hindsight until you've passed it. Remember the death rate in life, is 100%

Raybees
said
0 0

I am disgusted with the Liberal Party for creating a hysterical atmosphere with this issue.I think most reasonable Canadians can see through this phony bluster. This party needs to be wiped out in the next election. They have no policies or ideas; just a constant ongoing effort to create scandal where there is none.

Eleanor Johnson
said
0 0

Briefly, I want to say everyone is learning about this disease, doctors as well as the public. Everyone is doing what they can to work through this so people should stop looking for someone to blame.

Edb
said
0 0

All the happy drones line up for the government sponsored Kool-aid. Sad, media hype and paranoia has replaced all reason.Of course it must be coincidence that legislation is in place to guarantee no legal action against big Pharma should something go horribly wrong.Whatever, carry on marching good lemmings!

SpinMeNot
said
0 0

When a province runs out of their weekly supply of vaccine it's not a reason to whine shortage. It only means their delivery system worked well. It's not a shortage. There is a scheduled release of the vaccine that may vary due to circumstances. If less than the scheduled amount of vaccine gets delivered in a given week then we're behind schedule for that week, but it's only a schedule, it's not a shortage. As long as we get the vulnerable vaccinated first, I think a small percentage of the rest of us who don't get the vaccine on time will just get the flu and get over it like every other flu season. Half of Canadians don't even plan to get the flu shot. So don't let the Liberals and the media fool you with the "shortage" word. We started a week ahead of schedule so we're even ahead of schedule at this point. We've already vaccinated more people per capita than any other country and three times the number of people per capita than the USA. We�re world class at this.

Rob
said
0 0

I watched question period on the weekend. I cannot believe that no one was finger pointing the provinces, the school boards and the Municipalities for the poor delivery of the vaccine or the lack of. Ican expect that from James Travers from the Star, but from CTV , it is a SHAME. Do not blame only one level of government

keith
said
0 0

Once again the easiest job of all is to be in opposition. How could the government get more than is being made?

gummint man
said
0 0

"a bad job of bungling the swine flu vaccination program"??? Then that means they did a good job, correct? I personally feel that the Harperites have done an excellent job of bungling H1N1 vaccination program. Swine flu??? Hmmm, that sounds vaguely familiar...

Fred - Brandon MB
said
0 0

This is a cheap and sleazy attack designed to play on the public's fears, and cash in on the unfortunate death of a Canadian teenage hocky player.I guess that this what we should expect now that Donolo and Kinsella are advising Ignatieff.

Westerner
said
0 0

Liberals quit jumping in with negitive comments - for once try to solve the situation with positive input! Conservatives - children , pregnant women and elderly living in assisted living or on their own should of been addressed ALOT sooner as to how to roll this out - IT IS NOT THE PHARMACUTICAL COMPANIES FAULT - they can only produce so much vaccine at one time. Was their not another company that could of produced the Vaccine in Canada? Also, alot of people are hanging in the best they can "suck it up people" I would rather have my child Vaccinated and live!

Karen
said
0 0

Its a sad day for Canadians, who are at the mercy of all levels of Government. Terrible bungling of this, they new earlier in the summer that they did not have enough and didn't have any plan in place. Stemach and the Super Board all took raises 25% and 30% and expect the Dr's, nurses and staff workers to bear the burden of their spending and take cuts and lost jobs, we can't even pay the nurses to carry on with our clinics. I hope all Canadians will remember the mess all levels of Government have made when election time tolls around. Its easy to pass the buck, but it has to stop now. We are getting sick and the Governments are careless with our lives. I have just finished my chemo, and don't know if I can get this shot, or for that matter stand in line too long.

Richard in Ontario
said
0 0

We'll never know why, Iggy doesn't do more research before he makes statements that make him look foolish at times. In another article in this same edtion of the Star, his Liberal counterparts in Ontario have said the swine flu immunization program is going well. Which is it?Then again, Bob "turncoat" Rae has gone a way above, blaming the deaths due to H1N1 on the Tories. It apears the not only have the Liberals lost their way, they seem to have lost their researchers as well.

PBW
said
0 0

Perhaps Mr. Ignatieff's diatribe of blame-laying should be aimed at the provincial ministers of health; after all, they are the ones responsible for ensuring the vaccine is distributed fairly and properly. Besides that, I have no doubt that Mr. Ignatieff would be equally indignant if the manufacturer had produced all adjuvanted vaccine first and then switched to the unadjuvanted form - or vice versa. It seems to me that all he can do is seize any opportunity to make himself heard criticising the government for the flimsiest of reasons. Suggestion to the Liberal Party: call a convention and decide on a platform that you can sell to Canadians, instead of just mouthing off with criticisms and wait-and-see platitudes. And while you are at it, how about ELECTING a leader? Coronations should be left to royalty who don't have any say in the running of a nation; they certainly have no place in a supposedly democratic party.

simon
said
0 0

Can somebody Define >>>>>>>Chrinically ill....Is a Diabetic chronically ill??Is somebody with Cancer chronically ill??Also please Define >>>>>High Risk......Is a mentally retarded person High Risk??Is a physically handicapped person High Risk??Is a Homeless Person High Risk??

Pissed and sick
said
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I agree with Pugfire, why should First Nations not be like everyone else, their pregnant women should be immunized first, but everyone else, suck it up and deal with it like every other Canadian. The kids in schools should have had it first since thats where and when they have been predicting all along that it would ramp up....My kids and I both have it, now its too late for the shot, and my son had a heart transplant, how is that fair?? Most of the kids are out of school already. Are First Nations and prisoners more important than my children and I???? Its a huge mess. They knew it was coming, they should have gotten their thumbs out of their butts and done something sooner.

The Other Lowell in BC
said
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The conservatives can't take the high road on this one. The opposition are correct in calling out Harper on his management of the H1N1 crisis. Lack of planning, poor communication, creating a state of anxiety etc. have all lead to a deplorable situation with people standing in bad weather for hours and then getting turned away because there is not enough vaccine. Its a sham. Why doesn't the government have more than one supplier. Why didn't they communicate better with public on the distribution of the vaccine. They spent double or more the amount of money on advertising their stimulus package but when it came to the health of Canadians, they didn't seem to care. I guess it would be difficult for a conservative MP to be holding up a cardboard cheque with his name on it beside an H1N1 clinic. All of you folks saying that Harper and his minister Leona have been doing a good job with this file, better go back to management basics. Among Harper's other screw-ups, this one ranks up near the top.

Jim in Ottawa
said
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This really is a new low for Mr. Ignatieff. Fear and panic only serve to stress and weaken the immune system, and his attempt to score political points to whip up fear, uncertainty, and shamelessly exploit people's deaths by blaming the current government's handling of an illness that originated outside of our borders, is borderline insanity. I find his exploitation of this issue quite offensive to be honest.The Liberal Party needs to hold an immediate leadership review and send Mr. Ignatieff packing back home to his former country. He is simply unelectable here in Canada

john from saskatoon
said
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Isn't hind sight wonderful. You can see where improvements can be made for next time. Blame should only be placed if the same mistakes are repeated. As far as getting other drug companies to help with our manufacturers short fall. They are already making vaccines for the rest of the world. We're not the only country with H1N1.

Angela_yarmouth
said
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I think the H1N1 vaccine was giving out to alot of people that could have waited for more to be made,The ones that should have got it right away was pregnant women,health care workers and kids.School kids are dropping like flyes.I don't even want to send my son to school for fear he will get it and pass it on to his 3 year old sister.This should have been montored alot better.

john from saskatoon
said
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Playing politics on this is lame. The Govt. does not produce the vaccine. Quit blaming them for the shortage. There are shortages all over the world. What do you expect. They're trying to make enough to vaccinate billions of people. When is the last time Govts. have had to make plans to vaccinate 30 million people in this country in a very short time period. There are going to be issues with getting it done. Give them a break. Just stop and think about the logistics of this thing before spouting off. On a side note Iggy's alot more dangerous to this country then H1N1.

Steph in Ottawa
said
0 0

Another fine episode of the Iggy soap opera! My question is what would the opposition do if they were in the driving seat??? Probably not worse but DEFINITELY not better!!! If you do go get your shot Iggy, I hope they'll give you a lollypop to keep you busy for a while....

Gord. Robson, Nova Scotia
said
0 0

I fall under the high risk group but I am not blaming our governments! The manufacturerran into a glich and it is being worked out. It takestime to produce the vaccine and for safety reasons it can not be rushed. No matter which party was in power nothing would have been better. The Liberals are taking cheap shots at the Conservatives! This is not a Canada only problem and everyone is learning from this.We all will get our shots! Too much doom and gloom being fed us by the opposition and media!

LAC
said
0 0

This has been poorly administered since the get-go. I don't believe it when the Health Minister says this is from years of preparation. In Ottawa, the way the vaccine is administered is all over the map. They have been giving it to anyone and then once in a while they reject some people, no wonder there is confusion. At the same time, people of Ottawa and everywhere else, listen to the message here, stop lining up and being selfish if you're not part of any priority group and let those that need it get their shot. The way things are being done is so ridiculous. The governments and individuals are all to blame.

A. N. Idiot
said
0 0

I missed the morning's dispatch from Conservative Central Control so I don't know what I'm supposed to say about anything. Ignatieff taught at Harvard. He did. Ooga booga.

Greg in the Hammer
said
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I got three things in the mail last week in this order: Jim Flaherty propaganda (one of those loaded surveys they love to send out), a Jim Flaherty fridge magnet with emergency contact info, and THEN a brochure with information on H1N1. These guys dropped the ball BIG TIME. 40 million dollars of self promotion on their "Action Plan" and only 4 million on a major pandemic. Shame.

Seriously Concerned!
said
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My 2 young children were immunized yesterday but my pregnant wife (2 mths) was not allowed to receive the shot due to the adjuvent.What about all the other pregnant women that have already been inoculated with this vaccine?How is it that there are soooo many different opinions coming from the medical professionals?That is seriously worrisome!I on the other hand, a healthy 35 year old, DID NOT take the shot so that someone considered "high-risk", say a little kid, would have that opportunity! If it's true that we will/do have a shortage, there is no way I could morally take the shot away from someone that needs it more!

TS
said
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Another example of the Liberal's priorities: power at any costMr. Donolo's first moves should be to get rid of Iggy, find a real platform with real ideas, then pick a new leader who can deliver it with confidence and compassion.Other than that, this over critical approach will continue to sink the Libs. Yes, the NDP may become the official opposition by default.

ShotlessInStrathmore
said
0 0

Man you guys are pretty thick. The reason why this rollout is being categorized as 'bungled' is because not enough funds were dedicated to having enough frontline staff to administer the shot and not having a consistent 'priority' list across the country (which is why in Alberta we faced a shortage so early). One of the consequences of diverting funds from hiring front line workers to paying for Conservative partisan advertising on the Economic Action Plan website, is that you create HUGE lineups, which feeds the fears that supplies will runout, which creates even more demand.Great choice in Ministers Steve - amateur hour, 7 days a week.

Lz in Edmonton
said
0 0

Ah, the FEDS don't deliver Health Care, the provinces do. Perhaps Iggy can tell all the PC provinces, the liberal Provinces and the NDP provinces that the Federal Liberals KNOW ALL the answers and everyone in the rest of CANADA is wrong. Trying to score political points on mass media hysteria is downright ignorant. Iggy's 30 years in the US taught him how to be ignorant well... a classic american trait. Good on you Iggy, but bad if you want to be a Canadian.

Frank Buchan
said
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Regardless of political stripe, I only wish more Canadians were aware that health care delivery is the domain of the provinces, not the federal government. They have a guiding role, but cannot enforce anything regarding delivery. Nor, can they pull an extra million doses out of their behinds. This mess, as some call it, is a bottom-up and sideways one, with the provincial health systems faulting (mostly in a purely understandable structural way), and the drug company faulting (in an unsurprising way). But since many of us are clearly too foolish to actually assign the correct responsibility, don't expect this to change the next time out. Again, simply stated, the federal government cannot enforce H1N1 flu protocol, as they have no jurisdiction. They set minimum guidelines at best.

Julie
said
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I waited 6 hours yesterday. From 8:30am to 2:30pm. My husband brought our 2 year old around 12:30 pm. Outside in line, I was told that only one accompanying parent would get vaccinated with our child, however, when we were registering inside, we were then told that both of us could get it since we were both there. We saw a woman crying at registry, she had waited 6 hours with her 5 year old. He complained the whole time that he did not want the shot. He was a terror to his poor mother. At registry, it was found out that he was 5 years and 2 days, they had told the mother that 6 months to 5 years, meant 6 months to 59 months, not 60 months... and that she would have to come back when it was the correct time for his age group. We were all angry with her but there was nothing that they would do for her. She was told to leave.

Vinnie
said
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I don't agree with the down syndrome child being turned away from the clinic . I also think everyone should be treated equally when it comes to the vaccination.The doctors said on thursday not to worry;but on friday said if you have symptons to call 911 or go right to the emergency dept. Do the doctors even know what they are faced with.

reece
said
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First we hear it was a glitch with the manufacturer, then we hear it was the gov't intervenening and changing the type of vaccine to be manufacturered, then we hear recriminations about it being the fault of provincial gov'ts. It's like they are firing blame in all different directions and hoping it sticks to somebody else. This has become political now and the inevitable rush goes into play - when things get rushed, mistakes happen and then inquiries happen. No thank you to the vaccine.

D.K. Lindsay
said
0 0

The shortage of vaccine is NOT a Canadian only problem. Tune your TV to an American station and you will hear the exact same problem from them. How is Harper to blame for that shortage.It must be the easiest job in the world to be leader of the oposition since they are blessed with 20/20 hindsight. Iggy since you do not have a solution shut the h... up.

spencer
said
0 0

GREAT JOB IGGY...... did you major in theatre arts ?????The GREAT thing about being the leader of the opposition........no matter what the government does......you can criticise.....offer nothing.....just criticise........and the best part.......2 terms and you get a FULLY INDEXED PENSION FOR LIFE......shall we call it the " CASH FOR LIFE CAREER " ??

Bill in The Hat
said
0 0

Dean in YYZ: "there is no pandemic" ... "this swine flu strain is no different"______________________________________-I fear for you and your family, you are a victim of Mr. Harper's laissez faire marketing, the same approach he has used many times (see global warming, economic crisis ...).A pandemic is defined as "a disease prevalent throughout an entire country, continent, or the whole world", or if you like as defined by WHO:�the emergence of a disease that is new to a population;�the agent infects humans and results in serious illness and�that agent is then easily spread amongst populations.This virus is a new strain which most humans have not had any experience or exposure to. Most other influenza's at least some portions of the populations have exposure and thus some degree of resistance to them. Almost all of the population of the world is vulnerable to this new virus, not just the elderly and sick. If more of us are susceptible to the virus more of us will get sick and more of us will die.

Victor in Vaughan
said
0 0

Yeah, but isn't the H1N1 all the fault of the Liberals ?Either way, this blame game stuff is getting old.How the heck is any government at fault when it's the health industry responsible for managing this crisis ?So when we are stuck in traffic, it's the NDPs fault ?

my take on this
said
0 0

Conservatives are going to support Stephen Harper and his right wing gang of incompetence no matter what happens. Hopefully, Canadians will flock to the polls and show their displeasure with Stephen Harper on election day. Harper can't keep his word and can't get anything right.

paul
said
0 0

since when does the calgary flames fall into the "high risk group"

ADM Saskatchewan
said
0 0

There will always be learning experiences coming up and how to deal with a "flu pandemic" is exactly that. The Canadian government I believe has done a good job. The vaccine was made and purchased in good time , the information on how to prevent getting the flu has been clearly given to people and now it is up to the provinces to get it distributed. Regarding the shortages that is not the governments fault, it is the drug companies.

kelly
said
0 0

Why is only GlaxoSmithKline producing the vaccine? Is it that they have exclusive rights? Here's where the Feds could be usefual to apply/overrule in pandemic situations to have more manufacturers on board producing this stuff. Duh!

Portes
said
0 0

I seem to remember a similar thing happening in 2003, my memory fades as does the Liberals. But here is s quote from the Globe and Mail at that time, it was made by a senior Liberal in the cabinet""As early as last week, the federal heritage minister, Sheila Copps, a Liberal who is running for prime minister, became the first cabinet official to try to capitalize on the epidemic. But she appeared to overplay her hand, upsetting party leaders with her public criticism of Ms. McClellan. ''Nobody saw her,'' Ms. Copps said of Ms. McClellan. ''When people were wanting to hear a strong voice from the government of Canada, she was absent""I think that says it all

sdg356
said
0 0

Enough already. This entire process is messed up from top to bottom. Its to late to switch boats and it needs to be muscled through. What is important is how is the current mess going to be supported. What changes will be made so that next time there is no repeat.

dusty - ottawa
said
0 0

These are sick comments coming from IGGY, first it was Bob Rae blaming the PC Party for shortages of vaccines and causing the deaths of several persons and now IGGY, using those deaths to try to gain points in the polls. It's not going to work. You are trying to capitalize on the backs of people who died. Pretty sick if you ask me. Try telling the people who are NOT in the priority group to stay put until they are advised. The news media doesnt help either by telling everone to get their injections A.S.A.P. which only cause long linups for nothing.

Bill in The Hat
said
0 0

No matter what political colours you wear, I think everyone can agree that this whole H1N1 episode is a complete and absolute mess.Whether you believe the whole thing is over-blown by the media or if you believe this is the worst thing to happen since the bubonic plague.I think mostly everyone can agree that this process has degraded to utter chaos, almost everywhere in Canada.My sympathies Mr. Harper, many, many people have screwed up, but the buck has to stop somewhere!!!

michaelhomsi
said
0 0

Sometimes, Ottawa seems to be far away , it might be as far as Mars with its thinking and caring about the challenges Canadians fac e on daily basis. What is it with the distributions of the H1N1 Vaccine ?We need a government that cares about us, enough with this MICKEY MOUSE of Harper operation, may God help us !

Iggitity Iggitity Iggitity
said
0 0

If HARPER had an Ivy League Education from the US then he wouldn't be in this vaccination mess, he would be smarter.

Concerned Parent
said
0 0

The real health concern in Canada is kids drinking one litre slurpees and 2 litres of coke. Parents get the kids of the glucose fructose and take them for some exercise.

Justin Montreal
said
0 0

Iggy always pointing fingers as evidenced by the picture. He looks like he has aged 10 yrs in the last 10 months.

mf3791
said
0 0

the drug companies were saying months ago the production process was expected to be slower for the h1n1 vaccine. personally i am a little suspicious of this and i am not convinced - billions of dollars later - we should take their word for it...this whole fiasco ought to be investigated globally to see if any collusion was involved. and furthermore, there should be an investigation into why canada is locked into a monopoly deal with glaxo in the first place.

Drew in Manitoba
said
0 0

They lied about how many doses they were shipping us (Manitoba). They said this week's supply would be around 72,000 doses. Instead we got just under 15,000. The cons expect us to believe that they didn't know this shortfall was coming weeks in advance? If they didn't know they are incompetent for not finding out sooner, if they did know, they're just liars.

Dave in Manitoba
said
0 0

I think all governments (Federal and Provincial) are doing an okay job. They could have held off doing any shots until February 2010 and then had enough to go around but instead decided to roll out the vacine as it became available. That is prudent. This stuff cannot be made with the twitch of a nose. It is frsutrating but it takes time.

Loretta
said
0 0

What would we have done 100 years ago prior to our current medical system?Maybe instead of blaming each other we should blame the H1N1 flu as the root cause.We just can't seem to work together any more

Jim in Ontario
said
0 0

Ignatieff is way out of line trying to pin this global flu and the joint federal/provincial response on the government in an attempt to score cheap political points. His opportunism knows no bounds and it is time for him to resign and his successor provide constructive suggestions.

Dean in YYZ
said
0 0

First off there is no pandemic here,this is a media driven "scare the SHEEP" sensationalism farce.People die every yr from flu like symptons,this swine flu strain is no different.Hey but if you all want to buy into the victim mentality...be my quest.As for Iggy and the lib's,they just never learn.Keep crying wolfe Iggy!You truely are a bufoon.

STOP THE MADNESS
said
0 0

Why are we even getting vaccinated?? Does everyone freak out over the regular flu? NO! There is hardly ever a regular flu vaccine shortage... So why is this such a big deal? More people have died from the regular flu than H1N1. I know a bunch of people who have had it and it is nothing more than your average flu. Get over it people and stop freaking out!!

Joshua in Thunderbay
said
0 0

Thanks for the lip service Iggy, have the liberals produced even one dose of the vaccine??

Rick in NB, Ste Marie
said
0 0

Aglukkaq said they are using a pandemic plan that was " built on years of collaboration with the provinces and territories and the medical community " This statement tells us that the new reformed conservatives have done nothing to change policies that are years old. This is the largest public inoculation ever and our government is hopping it will play out without casuality. Well there will be casualties before mid december. How many will pay for this outdated plan she's using?

kg1
said
0 0

Nice to know Iggy has a penchant for stating the obvious. Quit grasping at straws, the whole country knows there is a problem with the distribution. We still dont want you as PM.

Ant
said
0 0

This country and it's governing parties never cease to amaze me, in that inmates in jail, ie: murders, rapists, Child Kilers like Bernardo and Betesh, etc would get flu shots before the general public! What is going on here? We have rights not them because they lost their rights when they killed and broke the law. These fellons always speak of their rights but everyone seems to forget the rights that were taken from the victims. Give flu vaccines to law abiding citizens first, not killers. This is Canada not a country run by corrupt individuals, or is it?

josie Peddle Gander
said
0 0

I disagree completely with Mr. Ignatieff. I believe Mr. Harper did an excellent job of bungling the swine flu vaccination program

david sawkiw[saskatchewan farmer]
said
0 0

I clearly remember when the federal liberal governent appointed roy romanow to do his infamous 'healthcare' study.One of his major reccomendations was for the feds to PAY and the province's domain was administration!!As I watched inatioff in the house I wondered why the big turn around??Has he once again been thinking like an American?Is this his idea of applying an American solution to a 'created' Canadian problem?Also, there has been some critisism on only one company in Canada versus five in the USA,, the last time I checked they have TEN times our population ! Maybe iggy should go home and lobby the democrats to hire at least another five companies,,, that would make the ratio equal to Canada's [ten to one]..............

Saskmike
said
0 0

If this flu is so dangerous, Why does the current maker of this vaccine not hire other companies to help with the production of this shot that everyone needs so despirtly. Yearly we have flu's that take lives. Because this is taking a different group, we should ALL be concerned? Please take a step back, do what we do every year, let that group who needs this shot get it, and the earth will rotate in the same direction as yesturday.

Fact Check
said
0 0

h1n1 is not airbourne, it travels on cough spit and people not washing hands after flushing.

Peter Thiessen
said
0 0

Was Ignatieff speaking as an American or Canadian??

Johney Apple Seed
said
0 0

Pregnaut women get priority and I have helped get as many women to the front of the line as possible.

RVH
said
0 0

Im sure Iggy would still complain if every Canadian was vaccinated in the first week.

Rick in Niagara
said
0 0

It is deplorable that the Liberals are so desperate to make voters think they are an effective opposition that they are using scare tactics, inuendo and vague accusations of how the government has somehow failed.I am not a huge supporter of the government, however, in this case I think the opposition has no business using peoples' fears to try and gain some political advantage. Shame on them.As a person who falls into the 'under 65, with a cronic medical condition' catagory, I went to a local clinic last night in hopes of getting a vaccination. My wife and I were in and out in 20 minutes.Trying to help would seem a more appropriate response from the Opposition Benches. Again, shame on you.

Offended Sarah
said
0 0

The Liberals dancing on people graves because the vaccine maker over promised and underdelivered is disgusting. I wish they cared more about people and less about grandstanding.

Andrea in Ottawa
said
0 0

Why should we all wait hours in line to get our flu shots?Why can't we just go to the nearest clinic, or family physician to get it done?Why don't they just roll out the vaccines in schools so that way the kids at least are not taking time out from school to wait in line. The same approach could be used at highschools.I just don't understand this govt approach in rolling out the vaccine.It seems to be taking longer, which is why people are so frusterated.

Kim Pye
said
0 0

I start out yesterday to find out is it, 5 and under or under five. What is the difference.. to find out 9 hours later that your little girl is to old to get a shot. Now she thinks she is going to get sick and die....All children in Canada at school should have been first, aren`t out children the future of Canada...

Tyler Moosejaw
said
0 0

Iggy is just trying to change channels from the civil war going on inside the liberal party. They maybe replaced by the NDP as the official opposition next election.

Joe C
said
0 0

I'm normally critical of the Conservative government, but I fail to see how the drug shortage is their fault. Yes, they could have offered better guidelines to municipal health authorities, but there's no reason to blame the drug shortfall on GSK.I think that Minister Aglukkaq is doing a great job on the H1N1 front, especially with how rapid it has evolved since the summer.

Pugfire
said
0 0

I certainly can see the priority for pregnant women, small kids and health care workers. BTW, how do you assess whether a lady is pregnant if she isn't "showing"??What I don't see is First Nations at the forefront, they always say they want to be treated just like all other Canadians, well treat them like the rest of Canadians in this circumstance. OR do they want equal treatment only at their convenience?

Mikefromnoel
said
0 0

Does anyone else think it would have been simpler to get children immunized if they'd have put the vaccine in the schools first. Then instead of dragging the kids out of schools to stand in a humungous lineup with their parents they could have been organized by class to go in an orderly fashion to get their shot from the public health nurse that I assume is still on staff at most schools. It's all done in a couple of days and theres no need for this annoying public outcry because of the lack of organization. It doesn't take a genious to see that two or three million shots isn't going to get everyone immunized in the first day or two. Relax, the most likely place to come in contact with the flu is at the clinic. I'm staying as far away as I can.

Steve the Pundit
said
0 0

With all due respect to the "honorable" opposition leader, the federal government DOES NOT DELIVER healthcare. They can articulate strategies and priorities but, ultimately, it is the PROVINCES responsibility to deliver and execute.The challenges of delivering this vaccine are not limited to Canada; shortages at ground level and production issues are being reported in the US and Britain.It would appear that Liberals are attempting to make political hay during this time of confusion and uncertainty and, for that, they should be ashamed. I hope voters remember this whenever the next election is held...

Mead
said
0 0

There is always a crybaby in the crowd.You can't please everyone.Everyone will get a shot by Christmas.Relax.Ignatieff - instead of blowing smoke, enlighten us with your solution. How would you have fixed this if you were the man in charge?

Chad In London
said
0 0

Why doesn't Iggy just go into his garage and make up a million or two more doses if he thinks it's so flippin' easy to get more.....

Stephen H arper
said
0 0

I heard, Stephen Harper has most of the H1N1 at his home and is only giving them to conservative ridings!

bellainottawa
said
0 0

Mr.Ignatieff is right. This government instead of being ahead of the game, fell right behind the 8-ball. Instead of blaming the provinces and the drug compnay, they should also take responsibility. They should have collaborated with other drug companies to make sure there was enough vaccine. By the time the vaccine is available for the non-high risk groups, flu season will nearly be over!

Dave in North Van
said
0 0

Pretty sad really. Iggy and his gang using the suffering of thousands and the deaths of many to make cheap political hay. The manufacturer themselves have said that this type of vaccine is slow and difficult to produce and admitted they may have been a bit to optimistic in their projecitons. I think most Canadians are going to see this ranting as yet another one of the Liberals embarrising string of moments.