BY L.H. TIFFANY HSIEH

As York Region Public Health opened H1N1 vaccination clinics in Vaughan and Newmarket Wednesday, with a third opening in Georgina on Monday, some Markham residents are feeling left out.

"Seriously, York Region? There are only three H1N1 vaccine clinics in the entire region and not one of them is in Markham?" twitted Markham's Mary Lynn Kitaura.

A blogger who describes herself as "just a regular mom in the 'burbs," Mrs. Kitaura told the Economist&Sun that she, her husband, Edward, and their two kids, 5 and 3, all had mild H1N1 flu in early September.

"But we are still planning to get the shot to boost our immunity," she said. "We'll go after everyone has gone. It was a terrible flu so we are not taking chances."

However, "If people have to drive 45 minutes to get a shot, it's just going to diminish the number of people - lineups are already awful."

Mrs. Kitaura is not alone in her disbelief of the number of H1N1 vaccination clinics the region has so far rolled out.

After fruitless phone calls to both York Region Public Health and the Town of Markham yesterday, Markham resident Edward Cooper contacted The Economist&Sun to report that he was stuck with having to go to Vaughan for his shot.

Mr. Cooper is travelling to England on Nov. 16 and hopes to receive his H1N1 vaccination by Monday.

"I need to get a H1N1 vaccine now, because it takes two weeks for the antibodies to build up in your system," he said. "But they have nothing set up for travellers."

Mr. Cooper said he called the York Region Public Health to inquire about a vaccination clinic in Markham and was told to call the Town of Markham instead.

"The lady at the York public health told me, 'You should have the shot.' She said they've been swamped by calls from Markham," he said.

Next, Mr. Cooper called the town. There he was told it was the public health and not the town. He was advised to visit clinics in Vaughan or Newmarket. "I just think it's ridiculous that the Town of Markham is telling its residents to go to Vaughan to get a shot. It's silly that they are saying to call public health and public health is saying to call the town," Mr. Cooper said.

"I'm not in the risk group, but I'm just trying to protect myself here. It's like I have to lie to get a shot now. I have no choice, I have to get a shot before Monday for the 14 days to work."

Janet Carnegie is the director of corporate communications and community relations for the Town of Markham. She said they are currently working with York Region Public Health to identify a location for a H1N1 vaccination clinic.

"That has not been done yet," she said. "There is a location that is being considered and I believe that would be confirmed fairly soon."

Ms Carnegie declined to disclose the location, saying things are "changing by the minute."

According to Dr. Karim Kurji, medical officer of health for York Region, the locations of the clinics were determined based on some geographic information system (GIS) mapping to find the highest number of priority population such as health care workers, pregnant women and people under age 65 with chronic health conditions.

Dr. Kurgi said the plan is to have one small and four big clinics for the region, including the ones in Vaughan, Newmarket and Georgina (small).

"You can expect to see two more large ones (that can process about 300 people) in southern York Region," he said. "The plan is to have one in Markham."

Dr. Kurgi said the clinics will open seven days a week until at least Dec. 18.

"There will be more than enough vaccine for everybody," he added. "We are asking people not in the priority group to wait, but if they come we do immunize them."

Currently, H1N1 vaccine is available at the Ray Twinney Complex (100 Eagle St. W.) in Newmarket and the Vellore Village Community Centre (1 Villa Royale Ave.) in Vaughan, Monday to Friday from noon to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Georgina residents will be able to receive the vaccination beginning Monday at Kin Community Hall (3 Fairpark Lane), Monday to Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m.

For more information about the H1N1 flu vaccine, visit www.york.ca or call York Region Health Connection at 1-800-361-5653.