First Nations a priority for H1N1 vaccine in Manitoba

Health Canada's guidelines for distributing the vaccine against the H1N1 influenza A virus once it becomes available don't mention aboriginal people as a priority.

The national guidelinesidentify children, pregnant women, health workers, those with chronic health conditions and those living in isolated communities as priorities for receiving the vaccination.

Manitoba's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Joel Kettner, said the guidelines specify that individual provinces should identify their own at-risk groups, and Manitoba will be giving high priority toFirst Nations people.

"One thing we intend to do is to make the vaccine available on a priority basis to all our high-risk groups and populations, and we've already identified First Nations and other aboriginal peoples wherever they live in Manitoba [as being] at higher risk," Kettner said.

First Nations people in remote northern Manitoba communities were hit particularly hard by the outbreak of the strain of swine flu virusthat began appearing in North America and elsewhere in the spring. That outbreakprompted the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to declare a state of emergency.

The priority list compiled by Manitoba health authoritiesmight also include other groups that could be at higher risk for severe illness, such as homeless people, Kettner said.

The first round of vaccinations will also likely include people in critical jobs outside of health care, such as workers who maintain power and water systems, he said.

Vaccinations are expected to start in November.