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Flu clinics back to normal this year By CHRISTINA COMMISSO Metroland Media Group October 28, 2009 is a day that vividly stands out in Dr. Bob Nosal's mind. That's the day a line-up of more than 3,500 people filled the hallways of the Halton Regional Centre and snaked its way outside the building. Mostly parents with young children bundled up in the chilly weather and waited hours for the flu shot in hopes of protecting themselves against the new pandemic strain of influenza, H1N1. "This year obviously is completely different from last year," said the Region's medical officer of health. "We're back to having a `usual flu season. ...It's a real pleasure this year to go back to regular clinics, which are easily manageable." The Region's first community influenza clinic was held in Oakville last week and saw a turnout of about 500, a number Nosal describes as average. This time last year, at the peak of the H1N1 hype, Nosal said about 5,000 to 6,000 people were immunized daily in Halton, 3,000 of which were immunized at the community clinics. Instead of the two vaccines that 3 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, November 9, 2010 Halton Region hosted a flu immunization clinic at Christ the King School, with Camille Leslie RN administering a flu shot to 17-year-old GDHS Grade 12 student Nicole Fielding. Flu clinic: Future November clinics will be today (Nov. 9), 4-8 p.m. at Acton High School and Nov. 23, 4-8 p.m. at St. Catherine of Alexandria School on Barber Dr., Georgetown. Flu immunization is free and recommended for all those six months of age and older. The H1N1 pandemic flu strain is now one of the three flu strains included in the annual seasonal flu vaccine, so there is only one flu vaccination required. Info: dial 311 or call Halton Region at 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866, or TTY 905-827-9833 or visit www.halton.ca/flu. Photo by Ted Brown were distributed last year, one for the season flu and other for the pandemic strain, this year only one vaccine will be administered. "What the (public health agencies) try to do is pick the strains that are most likely to circulate," Nosal explained, adding three strains, including the H1N1 strain, are found in this year's vaccine. "We've already received well over half of our vaccine allotment and we've already distributed over 60,000 doses to the family physicians in Halton." He said influenza has already started circulating in Ontario and last week saw the first Halton lab-confirmed case. Nosal said the strain of flu was H3, not the pandemic strain, which matches a strain found in the vaccine. "That's good news," said Nosal. "It's very early right now, but the strain they have sub-typed at the Provincial lab is the same H3 strain in the vaccine, which means better protection against getting the flu." He expects between 130,000 and 140,000 residents to get the flu shot this year. The number is down from last year, where about 160,000 vaccinations were administered. OVERNIGHT PARKING RESTRICTION UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL BY-LAW NO. 84-1 PROHIBITS PARKING: 2:00 A.M ­ 6:00 A.M. (Daily) November 15, 2010 to April 15, 2011 On all streets under the jurisdiction of the Town of Halton Hills, unless authorized signs indicating otherwise, are specifically posted. Motorists are reminded that By-law No. 84-1 also prohibits the parking of a vehicle on all Town or Regional Roads for longer than 3 consecutive hours at any single location, unless otherwise specifically posted. On-street parking hinders snow clearing and other road maintenance operations. Your co-operation is requested. Please comply with the requirements of this By-law. Province sends ROPA 38 back to the Region for changes By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer The Province supports some components of the Regional Official Plan Amendment 38 (ROPA 38) but has raised issues about others and wants further discussion with the Region. ROPA 38 is an update to the Region's Official Plan that will guide growth and oversee development through 2031 when Halton's population is expected to swell by almost twothirds to 780,000. The bulk of that growth is to go to Milton. That town's population is to grow by 63,000 people and Georgetown's by 20,000. Halton Regional Council approved the amendment, that incorporates the results of the Sustainable Halton planning exercise, in December and it is now before the Province for approval. The Province released its Proposed Draft Decision on ROPA 38 last week. One concern of Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) staff is the methodology used by the Region to support the designation of additional employment land; ministry staff believe it doesn't comply with provincial guidelines and policy and has led to an overestimation of land needed for future job growth in Halton Region. The Ministry wants to discuss this further. In the interim, the Province is proposing to withhold a decision on 110 hectares of new employment land in Halton Hills on the north side of Steeles Ave. between Ninth and MAYOR RICK roughly Tenth Lines. BONNETTE The Prov`Halton Hills is ince said that more impacted area is subject than Milton...' to an Environmental Assessment to identify a future transportation connection to Hwy. 407 (Halton-Peel Boundary Area Transportation Study). The draft decision also includes a map showing the identified conceptual routes for proposed provincial transportation corridors including the GTA West corridor, which runs south and east of Georgetown. Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette said Town and Region staff haven't really had a chance to look at the draft decision or report back to council yet, but on quick glance said, " it looks like Halton Hills is more impacted than Milton or any other municipality in the region." He said there will be a staff report on the decision at an upcoming Town council meeting. The proposed draft decision supports the majority of the Urban Area and growth management policies, including the distribution of growth in ROPA 38 and recognizes the Agricultural Rural Area and Regional Natural Heritage System policy framework. For full story, see www. independentfreepress.com AUTHORITIES MAY HAVE VEHICLES TICKETED OR TOWED AWAY AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. Motorists should note that Town By-Law Enforcement Officers will be on patrol through the duration of the parking restriction period and will ticket and/or have the offending vehicle removed. SNOW REMOVAL The placing or pushing of snow or ice onto roadways or cleared sidewalks will obstruct or encumber vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Do not push snow across roadways because the trail of snow does turn to ice. The Town's Obstruction, Encumbering or Fouling of Highways By-law No. 90-68 prohibits such action. Improper snow and ice clearing can be a serious hazard to motorists and pedestrians. Your co-operation is requested. Please comply with the requirements of this Bylaw. The winter season will soon be upon us. Be alert for snow plows and stay back at least 15 meters behind snow plow trucks. Please avoid parking on streets during snowstorms to assist Public Works operations staff with providing safe, passable roads. XMAS SPECIAL November and December Specials k e e w t las ws! o h s f o $ 2 OFF haircut $ 5 OFF colour with coupon AUTHORITIES MAY HAVE SNOW AND ICE REMOVED AT THE PROPERTY OWNER'S EXPENSE. Dick Spear, C.R.S.S. Superintendent of Public Works 119 PRO CUTS Family Hair Care Specialists 211 Guelph St., (Beside Police Station) 905-877-1846 1 Halton Hills Dr., Halton Hills, ON L7G 5G2 Tel.: 905-873-2601 Fax: 905-873-2347