Flu Shots for Private Clinics

H1N1 is a serious strain of the flu that to date has resulted in 101 Canadian deaths and 6893 confirmed cases Canadian wide (Public Health Agency of Canada). Now, being that this particular flu is so bad it makes sense that Canada and the provinces would work to deliver flu shots to the public as quickly as possible. However, in Ontario's rush to get the flu shot put to the public, they may have created a very tense situation for themselves. On Saturday October 31 2009 it became known that 3000 of the doses were given to a private Toronto based office. This may not seem like a large ordeal, but the province is in a shortage for the flu shot and giving the shot to a private clinic raises the question of two-tier health care. The office in question , Medcan, is only giving the shot to high risk people as long as they have a referral. In reality, these referrals are not easy to achieve and the result has seen Medcan offering its services by appointment to members. There is no line, no wait, easy access and even valet parking.

In my mind this type of delivery of a flu shot is completely wrong. The shot should be administered by public health care facilities only. It is unfair that a child who waited in line for hours be turned away because the clinic is out of supply while the other child is allowed easy access to the drug because she can afford the $2000+ fee charged by Medcan. What makes that child any more important than any other child. The simple answer is nothing, the reality is that the child whos parents make the most gets the treatment. A severe oversight by the Ontario government. They have created a two tier health system through simple oversight and now it will be up to the Liberal government and more specifically Health Minister Matthews to look into this practice as promised. Until then everyone can either wait in line, pony up the cash or hope that they don't get sick....here's to hoping.