Attention All OPFFA Locals:

As everyone is now aware Health Canada has now approved the H1N1 vaccine.  Shipments of this vaccine have now gone out to the provinces and territories and local areas should be receiving their allotments any day.

The OPFFA has been attempting since August to secure that fire fighters are included in the first tier of the H1N1 vaccine.  Unfortunately we regret to inform you that it does not appear we have been successful with the Ministry of Health at this time.  What is apparent is the need for further education within that Ministry of exactly what our members do as part of their daily duties and the type of medical responses we are responsible for. 

Although this Ministry has had its noted distractions, their response remains disappointing.  Recently it was suggested that the province will only have enough vaccine for the "target priorities" in this first round and that fire fighters will be included in the second round of the vaccine.  However one of the target priorities is health care providers.  The OPFFA takes the position that our members should be included within that definition.

I learned last week while in Regina attending Provincial Presidents meetings that this has been a common response across Canada as Provincial Presidents from all provinces have been acting in a coordinated fashion in this regard.  We will continue our advocacy and education at all levels of government to attain the best opportunities available to protect our members.

Notwithstanding, we strongly encourage all locals to contact their local Public Health Agency to seek when their local vaccination clinics will be and to seek/advocate that fire fighters be included in the first round.  It is my understanding that a few locations in Ontario have confirmed that all emergency responders will be included in their vaccinations next week.

We have also been in contact with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs to gauge their response and if they have developed contingency plans for their members to follow.  We continue to await their response.

The OPFFA set up an H1N1 ‘hot button’ on our website for you to follow our attempts and have quick access to pertinent information about this pandemic.   Please go to the OPFFA website at www.opffa.org and click on the H1N1 button for more information.

The IAFF has produced materials about what to do ‘before-during-and after’ a response, it can be found at - http://www.iaff.org/09news/swineflu.htm.  The IAFF Canadian office is also developing a suggested post response protocol with the antiviral for our members to follow should you feel you have contracted the H1N1 virus.  Look for this on your email and continue to monitor the OPFFA and IAFF websites for updates.

Remember to take all of the necessary precautions and stay safe.

 

Fraternally,

Fred LeBlanc,
President, OPFFA

 

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