2 H1N1 clinics to open in January

Two drop-in clinics for swine flu vaccinations will be open in the Edmonton region beginning in early January, health officials said Wednesday.

This, as three more deaths connected to the virus were announced one in Edmonton, one in Calgary and another in northern Alberta.

Mass clinics will be held at Millbourne Mall, starting Jan. 4 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the East Edmonton Health Centre, starting Jan. 6 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The clinics will run through the month.

"At that point, we will examine, reassess what the demand is, and we'll determine whether to continue to have mass clinics open," said Dr. Judy MacDonald, deputy medical officer of health for Calgary.

"We still have some virus activity here, and it could get hairy again with a third wave," she said. "And if a third wave comes and you're not vaccinated, you're at risk because it does take 10 to 14 days to get yourself protected. So put yourself on your Christmas list: Get H1N1 vaccine."

People wanting the vaccination can also get it from some doctors' offices and pharmacies or make appointments at health units around the city, Alberta Health Services said in a release.

The three most recent deathsbring the total number of Alberta fatalities to 68, with more than 1,200 people admitted to hospital because of the pandemic.