There's certainly no one in the town of Cold Lake right now that is lacking in the following: a tragic story of someone who was grievously sickened or killed by the H1N1 vaccination, the lowdown on some H1N1 government conspiracy or another, and the knowledge that the line at the vaccination clinics were epic, cold, and miserable.

What perhaps fewer are aware of is the October 31 announcement that mass vaccination clinics will be suspended. This means anyone who is unaware of the changes may well hop into a line up that weaves into the parking lot, in minus degree weather only to find out that lo! There are no H1N1 vaccines to be had and the fact that the flu virus spreads best in cold weather will become truly ironic. Presently, more than 300,000 Albertans have been vaccinated, and it's not as if the province has run out. The issue lies in the fact that high risk people – those who are pregnant, over 65, and have chronic health conditions, for example – aren't receiving the vaccination, because dang it, Grandpa didn't get in line quickly enough to get it before the healthy hockey mom of five did.

Why did the government fail to realize this, is my question? Alberta-wide, clinics are being closed while the health authority “tweaks” the plan while the rest of the country cocks their head and wonders just what the Heck we are doing. Bravo, Alberta, but your lack of foresight is unsettling. While I waited in line for two hours to get the vaccine that could prevent my own immunosuppressed body from contracting an illness that it just can't fight off, I announced loudly to anyone in earshot that “man, I hope not everyone is here to get the H1N1 shot, or they'll surely run out!” Sadly, by the time I actually got into the building, the six foot submarine sandwiched had arrived, the line had stopped moving, and if I got coughed on by one more child, I was going to snap so I left. I discovered the upcoming clinics wouldn't have the vaccine available and I would have to wait until tomorrow to visit http://www.albertahealthservices.ca and find out just how I can go about getting it. This sounds like a situation that could have easily been circumvented, had the people being paid to foresee such situations came the same obvious conclusion I had while I was standing outside the Agriplex, freezing my rear off.