Flu vaccines in Kootenay Boundary still safe
In light of the recent temporary suspension of Novartis vaccine products (Agriflu and Fluad), Interior Health wishes to advise the public that our public flu clinics will continue as scheduled using our primary vaccine product Vaxigrip. Novartis products comprise less than 10% of the vaccine supply in Interior Health. Interior...
Flu clinics have begun
Flu clinics across the Interior Health region have begun. Getting a flu shot is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from the flu and its complications. Seniors, infants under five and people with chronic illness are most at risk of serious illness or complications that can result from the flu. “Many people ...
Hospital facilities review meets with mixed reaction
It looks like the Kootenays are finally getting the hospital review that’s been discussed for months here in the tri-city region, and it may completed as soon as Nov. 30 of this year … what remains unclear is whether the scope of the study will take an adequate snapshot of the area’s capacity and needs. […]
Confirmed case of E. col found on Vancouver Island
BC has a confirmed case of E. coli O157:H7, the same strain of E. coli observed in the XL Food Inc. food safety investigation said the BC Centre of Disease Control in a written statement Monday. The BC Centre of Disease Control, receiving confirmation of the lab test, has been working in partnership with the […]
MED MARIJUANA: Opening minds and discussions
A series of medical marijuana stories as provided to the Sentinel by a Medical Marijuana license holder. Medhead is writing anonymously because of the potential stigma their condition and medication would have on their life in a small community. This is an introduction to Medhead and where this series is going to go over the […]
Federal Liberal Council of Riding Association presidents endorse resolution to legalize cannabis
Vancouver- British Columbia's Federal Liberal Council of Riding Association Presidents endorsed a policy resolution to legalize and regulate cannabis in Canada, as approved by Liberal Party delegates from across Canada at the Party's 2012 Biennial Policy Conference in Ottawa. The Council held their quarterly meeting Saturday...
COMMENT: An ounce of prevention
It is estimated that over 22,000 women in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and nearly ten times as many in the United States. Almost a quarter of these people will die. Nobody knows why. Yes, there are established risk factors, such as early commencement of menstruation, never breastfeeding a child, late […]
IHA delays decision to reduce Kaslo ER hours until January 2013
Interior Health has decided to delay its decision to change hours to Victorian Community Health Center Emergency Department to allow further discussion with community representatives on developing a service model that will best meet the needs of the community in the future. Several members of the newly formed seven member Negotiating Solutions Team, including Kaslo […]
OPINION: I thought we paid politicians to think...
Someone, please! Tell Dan Albas what to think. Westbank First Nations (WFN) plans to open a private hospital, but the rookie MP for the area, Okanagan-Coquihalla, doesn’t know what his opinion should be. He has no problem throwing public money around. Albas supports upgrading the Merritt Civic Centre with your tax money, and...
Vote for decriminalization of pot splits delegates at UBCM convention
Delegates at the Union of B.C. Municipalities in Victoria Wednesday voted in favour of a resolution calling for the decriminalization and taxation of marijuana. Resolution A5, brought forward to the annual convention by the municipality of Metchosin, calls for UBCM to lobby the appropriate level of government to decriminalize cannabis and research its regulation and […]