H1N1 clinic lineup frustrates councillor

“People shouldn’t be waiting outside,” said Orléans Coun. Bob Monette, adding the city should have been handing out bracelets by 9 a.m. “I don’t want residents stuck outside, especially babies.”

By 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30 a line of residents waiting for their H1N1 vaccine snaked from the front doors of 255 Centrum Blvd. down the street to the Shenkman Arts Centre. Most came prepared for a long wait, with folding chairs, blankets and lots of layered clothing. Many had baby strollers with them, some draped with blankets or coats to help keep the dampness out.

Monette indicated it was unacceptable to expect people to stand outside from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., when the clinic opens, noting the building boasts a theatre and former art room among other spaces that could be used to bring people in from the wet, chilly day.

Once those in line have a bracelet, they can either leave and return or head inside and wait until the clinic opens, Monette explained, but without the bracelet there’s no way to maintain the sequence without the outdoor line.

The councillor expressed frustration about how the vaccines have been rolled out. Acknowledging there’s bound to be some problems the first week since this is the largest immunization program the city has ever launched, Monette said he wants the clinics to run as smoothly as possible.

“They’ve got to get their act together,” he continued. “I will not stay quiet if things are not in order.”

Monette added he is willing to give city officials some time to get the program running, but “let’s get a system in place.”

Just after 10 a.m. he had city staff at the Client Service Centre searching for the bracelets so they could be handed out to waiting residents. Monette indicated he would open the rooms in the building as soon as the bracelets were handed out.

Meanwhile, those waiting in line Friday morning were offered free hot chocolate from the councillor’s office.

“It’s the least we can do,” Monette said.