Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to follow up on my colleague Mr. Ramsay’s questions about the H1N1 vaccination. Today, before lunch, Minister Lee had approached me and asked if I would join in an immunization of some people who are recognizable, I suppose, in the community, going down to get the H1N1. I very seriously considered it. I rethought it. Interestingly, right after lunch, I got forwarded an e-mail that had gone out to the employees of a fairly large company here in the North, warning employees that if they had egg allergies they should not be getting this. Coincidentally, I have been diagnosed with an egg allergy in the last six months. I would have gone with Ms. Lee.
My question is this: there are a lot of people who are sensitive and allergic to egg. When Ms. Lee indicates that people going for the vaccination can ask questions, I want to know what do the people administering the vaccination ask those people. If I had gone there at one o’clock today, would they have asked me if I had an egg allergy? Thank you.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the Member for the question, because that is very helpful. Mr. Speaker, I want to say that -- and the process will be the same all across the Territories -- when a resident goes to get their flu vaccine, they will be interviewed. They won’t be given a shot right away. They have to identify themselves with their names, to make sure that they have a health card. They will be asked if they are allergic to eggs and if they have any other underlying conditions, and then the resident will be given an opportunity to ask questions. Then, if they are comfortable with that, they will be moved to the next table where they will be given a vaccine. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
In the press release that was put out by the government, it does say that those who plan to line up for the vaccine should not be in a hurry. Health officials say flu clinic staffers will ask people if they have any risk factors such as chronic illness or pregnancy. So it doesn’t actually specifically in this communique speak to the issue of egg allergy, so I hope that even this discussion here on the floor of the House today will raise people’s awareness about that potential issue and, perhaps in the future, communications on this, because it is such a common thing, this could be included in it. As I said, most of the communication between Mr. Ramsay and Ms. Lee centred on the ability of people to ask questions, but I am very thankful and glad to hear the Minister say that that is a specific question which would be asked of those who are seeking the immunization. Thank you.
The previous question from the Member for Kam Lake dealt with the ingredients. I think there is so much information about this vaccine, I think it is helpful for us to get questions in the House. I do my best to answer them, but there is a flu line and public health officials in our Territories are doing their best job to answer us. I just want to get the message out. When a resident goes to the flu clinic, and I would invite them to go there -- I think Hay River is having a flu fair on Thursday -- even if they are not sure if they want to do that or not, the computer screen is standardized, it has a series of questions that they will be asked. At the same time, they could have their questions answered and when the public is comfortable, then they could move on to getting their vaccination. I realize we can’t have all the information out there, but I think that is a fairly regular process. The reason why they asked if somebody is pregnant or not is because a different vaccine can be given to someone who is pregnant. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
