There were more lineups for the H1N1 vaccine Friday, as hundreds of people in the Montreal area waited hours to receive their dose of the limited supply.
In St. Eustache, north of Laval, more than 1,000 people were turned away Thursday, and many returned Friday to receive their shot.
"I was here since 8 this morning, but I came yesterday, and waited four hours for nothing, because at 7:30, they closed the door. We were only 50 people left, but they refused to let us in because they said, 'We finish at 7:30 - but they had the vaccine,'" complained one patient while waiting for the shot.
The lineups come amid confusion about directions from the government. Priority was set among certain high-risk groups first:
- children 6 months to 5 years;
- people with chronic illnesses;
- health care workers.
Earlier this week, however, government health officials admitted no one would be turned away.
"The question was asked if someone shows up and they're very anxious and they're very worried and it's really starting to affect their health should they get the vaccine," said David Levine, director general of Montreal's Public Health Agency, earlier this week.
The news sparked lengthy queues at open vaccination sites, particularly because very few have opened so far, prompting residents from throughout the city to visit the few already running.
Now, health officials are asking the population to respect the priority scheduling, as well as show I.D., proving local residency. The move comes in face of fears the supply will be extinguished too soon.
"I think if there's a certain amount of vaccines available they should limit it to the certain area that they're doing it in," said one man receiving his vaccine.
Quebec is receiving 400,000 doses of the vaccine every week, which means every Quebecer will have the option to be vaccinated by late December.
More vaccination centres on the island of Montreal are expected be open by next week.
Vaccination sites:
Vaccinations for members of the general population who are in good health won't begin until Dec. 7.
The following locations have been named as H1N1 vaccination sites:
Open 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Nov. 6 to 15
- Lachine General Hospital - 3320 Notre Dame St.
- Carrefour Angrignon - 7077 Newman Blvd.
- Patro Le Pr�vost Community Centre - 7355 Christophe-Colomb Ave.
- St-Laurent Leisure Centre - 1375 Grenet St.
- Southwest Physergo medical clinic - 5260 Verdun Rd.
- CLSC Plateau-Mont-Royal - 4625 De Lorimier Ave.
- Coll�ge Reine-Marie - 9300 Saint-Michel Blvd.
- Allancroft School - 265 Allancroft Rd.
- Fr�d�rick-Banting School - 11135 Alfred Ave.
- Rivi�re-des-Prairies Hospital - 7070 Perras Blvd.
- Cavendish Mall - 5800 Cavendish Blvd.
- Th��tre du Quartier - 3990 Notre-Dame St. W
Open Nov. 6, 7, 8 only:
- CLSC Hochelaga-Maisonneuve - 4201 Ontario St.
Open Nov. 9:
- Olympic Stadium - 4545 Pierre-de-Courbertin St.
Open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., beginning Nov. 16
- Lachine General Hospital - 3320 Notre Dame St.
- Carrefour Angrignon - 7077 Newman Blvd.
- Patro Le Pr�vost Community Centre - 7355 Christophe-Colomb Ave.
- St-Laurent Leisure Centre - 1375 Grenet St.
- Southwest Physergo medical clinic - 5260 Verdun Rd.
- CLSC Plateau-Mont-Royal - 4625 De Lorimier Ave.
- Edouard-Rivet Recreation Centre - 11111 Notre-Dame St. E
- Coll�ge Reine-Marie - 9300 Saint-Michel Blvd.
- Allancroft School - 265 Allancroft Rd.
- Fr�d�rick-Banting School - 11135 Alfred Ave.
- Spring Garden Elementary School - 175 Sonata Ave.
- Rivi�re-des-Prairies Hospital - 7070 Perras Blvd.
- Cavendish Mall - 5800 Cavendish Blvd.
- Palais des congr�s - 1001 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
- Olympic Stadium - 4545 Pierre-de-Coubertin St.
- Th��tre du Quartier - 3990 Notre-Dame St. W
Open Saturdays and Sundays only, beginning Nov. 21
- Coll�ge Mont-Saint-Louis - 1700 Henri-Bourassa Blvd. E
Laval plans
In Laval, people can get vaccinated at the following location:
- 2228 des Laurentides Blvd. (Old Canadian Tire)
Opening hours are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Saturday & Sunday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY)
Dates are as follows:
Nov. 5-10 & Nov. 12-14 :
- People under 65 suffering from a chronic illness
- People in contact with children under 6 months
- Pregnant women
Nov. 15-17 & Nov. 19-21
- Children from 6 months to 9 years, and their immediate families
- People in contact with those who are immune deficient
Nov. 22-24 & Nov. 26-28
- Youths aged 10-18 and their guardians
- People aged 65 or older
Nov. 29-30, Dec. 1 & Dec. 3-5
- Open to all
