Thousands lined up at H1N1 vaccination clinics in Toronto on Saturday, prompting officials to start turning people away at Etobicoke Civic Centre and East York Civic Centre shortly after noon.
"It's really frustrating because the government has known about this and the medical system has known about it for over a year. And they just come out with this kind of a system. I think they could have done much better," said resident Norma Brownie.
The clinics were intended for healthcare workers; pregnant women; children six months to five years; people under 65 with chronic conditions; and people who live with infants under six months old and those with compromised immune systems.
One such individual, a 12-year-old Ontario girl with an underlying medical condition, died less than one week after contracting H1N1, also known as swine flu.
Sarah Hergott had Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder marked by mental and physical disability, seizures and difficulty walking.
The Bloomingdale girl fell ill last Saturday and died on Thursday.
And Ontario health officials confirmed three other H1N1-related deaths this week in the province.
Provincial health officials announced Friday that initial plans to begin vaccinating non-priority groups starting Monday have been set back due to a shortage of the flu shot. Clinics will continue to serve only priority groups through next week.
The demand for pandemic flu shots has caught health units and the federal government off-guard. On Thursday the Public Health Agency of Canada warned that delivery of the vaccine to the provinces and territories will slow next week.
The government’s request for adjuvant-free immunizations for pregnant women has caused a backlog at vaccine maker GlaxoSmithKline.