The first confirmed H1N1-related death of an Alberta child was reported yesterday by health officials.
It was one of four more deaths linked to the virus reported in Alberta, bringing the death toll in the province since April to 38.
Starting tomorrow, the province will make the vaccine available to the remaining groups labelled as the highest risk before expanding to include cops and firefighters as early as Monday.
Dr. Martin Lavoie, deputy chief medical officer of health for the province, said no details are being released about the female child other than that she was one of two fatalities in central Alberta.
"It is the first child but this is not unexpected -- even with seasonal influenza we see that happening on an annual basis," he said.
Lavoie said the child, whose age he would not confirm, had underlying health conditions, as have all but one of those who have succumbed to the virus so far.
The number of Albertans hospitalized with the virus also rose to 755 since April.
With an unexpected bump in supply, thanks to the release in Canada of 1.8 million doses of vaccine without adjuvant -- an additive that boosts immunity primarily aimed at pregnant women -- more people can be added to the vaccination priority queue, Lavoie said.
Starting today, all individuals aged five to 64 with chronic health conditions as well as those living with individuals not eligible to be immunized (including children under six months and people with compromised immune systems) can get the shot.
"Now, because we have a bit more than we need in terms of pregnant women, we can certainly expand a little bit," he said.
"All persons at highest risk of severe disease and complications from H1N1 will be eligible."
The new categories will join a list that still includes pregnant women, young children and frontline health-care workers.
Lavoie said that starting as soon as Monday, the vaccine will be made available to firefighters, police and provincial peace officers, but a rollout plan has not been determined.
"It's going to be a mix of things -- some of it could be done internally ... and some of it will be done in clinics," he said.
Police and firefighters' unions across the province have been clamouring for the vaccine since it became available three weeks ago.
Despite more supply replacing what had been a chronic shortage of the vaccine just last week, Lavoie said it could still be weeks before the general public will be able to get immunized.
Meanwhile, Lavoie said seniors and all healthy children under 18 will likely be the next groups in line.
