Northwest Territories officials won't vaccinate some diamond miners against swine flu

Miners--who work in close quarters and live on mine sites for several weeks--could be more vulnerable to the swine flu, Canadian unions say. However, the NWT won't vaccinate non-residents.

RENO, NV - 

As H1N1 or "swine" flu spreads around the globe, infecting everyone from the lowest paid worker to the head of the world's largest mining company, BHP Billiton, miners from Australia to Mexico to Canada are worried about its impact on their businesses.

BHP has since doubled the number of cleaning shifts at the head office, as executives who had to travel were issued the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.

In May a number of Vancouver mining firms shut down production for five days at their Mexican mining operations in compliance with a Mexican presidential decree to shut down all non-essential activities to combat the spread of the virus.

The latest development in the battle against swine flu involves the decision of the Government of the Northwest Territories not to offer the H1N1 vaccine to so-called fly-in workers at the three diamond mines in the region.

These fly-in mine employees, who reside in other parts of Canada but fly up to work in the mines for rotations lasting several weeks at a time, are being urged to get vaccinated in their home communities. Meanwhile active flu cases have been identified in 26 of the 33 NWT communities, according to the provincial government.

The NWT's H1N1 vaccination campaign commenced on October 26^th.

In an interview with CBC News, Steve Walsh, president of the union representing workers at BHP's EkatI diamond mine, called the policy "almost discriminatory. ...Frankly if you're only going to inoculate half the population of the mine, you're still having a breeding ground for the first of it."

However, Deputy Health Minister Paddy Meade told CBC, "They have been given the dosage they need for NWT residents at the three mines. These miners that are from other jurisdictions clearly can get vaccinated in their home jurisdictions."

Walsh said mine workers live in close quarters, and everyone is at risk when they meet in gathering areas at the mines, such as cafeterias and recreation rooms.

If necessary, Meade said, miners from outside the NWT might be offered the vaccine in the territory when the next round of flu vaccines start later this year.

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responses to this article

NWT vaccination Paddy Meade tends to forget these miners at the Diamond Mines pay income tax to the NWT government, alot of income tax. by dana on November 10 2009, 06:34 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

NWT Vaccination The Yellowknife vaccination that happened the last week of October was deemed a "success" by the general public and newspaper. Why can't BHP organize it's own vaccination success and protect it's most valuable assets. The employees! ...and not . .more just some of them, ALL of them. . .less by Btheman on November 10 2009, 08:39 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Vaccinations down south? Where? The Health Minister says that southern workers can clearly get vaccinated in their home jurisdiction. However, latest reports say it will be at least a month before the population who is not high risk can get their vaccine down south. H1N1 will be . .more in full swing then. Interestingly, I am a southern resident working in Yellowknife and I was given my shot at the NWT health clinic in YK. They knew I was not a resident of the NWT and had no issue with it. . .less by Ella on November 10 2009, 09:28 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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