| Text Release Date and Time: 2009-10-29 10
Chief of Police Frustrated with H1N1 Vaccine Process for Emergency Workers
Chief Andy McGrogan, who is presently attending meetings in Lethbridge
with other Provincial Police Leaders at the Alberta Association of Chiefs of
Police has been monitoring the influenza vaccine process in Medicine Hat and
is frustrated with what he is hearing.
Emergency Services personnel have been forced to stand in line for hours,
sometimes while on duty, to receive their influenza vaccinations. "We have a
sworn duty to protect and serve our community and we can only do that if we
are healthy ... our officers must engage others in our community on a
continual basis. Sometimes that engagement requires that we make physical
contact with them. Others in our community, for the most part, can choose how
they interact with others and who they interact with and we don't have that
luxury." McGrogan says.
McGrogan feels that clinics should be scheduled and vaccines should be made
available for all emergency service workers and their families. "Our people
cannot be expected to be fully engaged in their duty to protect and serve
others when they have family members at home who are sick and vulnerable.
McGrogan is disappointed with the decision of Alberta Health Services not to
provide clinics specifically for emergency services personnel. "I know City
officials have been doing what they can but it appears that Alberta
Health Services have a different philosophy."
Chief McGrogan will be available for comment after 2 P.M.
403-529-8410 |
Office of the Chief
