$1.00 INCL GST
Spirit dancer
This dancer dons some traditional garb during the Aboriginal Day celebration held in Eden Valley on June 21.
- photo by Gillian Beckett
Routine meningitis vaccine not effective against meningococcal
By Gillian BeckettStaff Reporter
Headwaters Health Authority is encouraging parents with young children, two years old and up, to ensure they have received the meningococcal vaccine before the June 29 deadline.
Pat Brooks, public health leader for Headwaters, said many parents may assume that the routine infant meningitis vaccine is effective against the meningococcal infection, however, that is not the case.
During routine vaccinations, young children receive the Hib meningitis vaccine which protects against Haemophilus influenza type B disease, however, this does not protect children against the meningococcal infection.
The Haemophilus influenza type B disease is the number one cause of bacterial meningitis in young children and has been a part of Alberta’s routine infant vaccination program since 1988.
However, Brooks explained that many people assume this is the same vaccination given during Alberta Health’s recent vaccination program for meningococcal.
The government of Alberta and regional health authorities are currently delivering a provincial meningococcal immunization program as a precautionary measure to prevent outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis group C. The program is aimed at two to 24-year-olds.
'It is important to note that Hib vaccine will not protect against any form of meningococcal meningitis. Whether or not you have received a Hib vaccination, you should have the meningococcal vaccination if you are in the target age groups,' stated a Headwaters press release.
The meningococcal vaccine is specific for outbreak control and has not been given routinely before, said Brooks.
There is only one week left in the meningococcal vaccination program and parents are encouraged to make an appointment with their local health unit before June 29.
So far, Brooks explained that due to an extensive vaccination program in local schools many children have already received the meningococcal vaccinations, however, parents with children ages two, three and four are encouraged to ensure their child also has the vaccine.
Meningitis is a symptom in which the lining of the brain is infected.
Meeting to address FMA
By Gillian BeckettStaff Reporter
The towns of Turner Valley and Black Diamond are hoping that an upcoming open house will shed a little light on what some claim to be an otherwise shady issue.
On July 4, a public information meeting will be held on the proposed Forest Management Agreement (FMA) between the provincial government and Spray Lake Sawmills slated for the Kananaskis, Ghost/Waiparous and Burnt Timber forests.
The decision to host a joint-intermunicipal public information meeting on the issue was due in part to previous presentations made recently to both town councils regarding the FMA proposal.
On June 18 and June 20, representatives from the Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) and Bragg Creek Coalition met with Turner Valley and Black Diamond councils to present their claims as to why the proposed FMA would be detrimental to the communities and well-being of the Kananaskis forests.
'For the past 100 years, the eastern slopes have played a large part in protecting forests for watershed purposes,' explained AWA representative Vivian Pharis during her presentation. 'Watershed aspects have become a lost concern amongst politicians.'
She added that a key reason for the concerns regarding the FMA proposal is the lack of public input into the FMA planning process between the provincial government and a private company. 'There is no requirement within an FMA for public input during the planning process. . . this is different from other jurisdictions in Canada,' said Pharis. 'With the public not able to have a say on what will happen to our forests it will be very detrimental unless we speak up, quickly and loudly.'
However, forest area manager Rick Blackwood said that the AWA’s claims that the public has no ability to provide input on the FMA is false.
'That is untrue,' said Blackwood. 'We (the government) have a legislated responsibility for public input, (however), there is no public input required in the granting of an FMA.'
In her presentation, Pharis also noted that the south-eastern slopes in Kananaskis are the only areas in Alberta not under an FMA to which Blackwood explained is also untrue.
'There are a number of forested places in the far north of Alberta that are currently not under an FMA,' said Blackwood.
After the June 18 presentation to Turner Valley council, councillors expressed that they would like to see a plan of the FMA before the proposal goes any further.
'We would like all proceedings to cease until the public has had their input and we see a plan,' said Councillor Bev Goble.
Nonetheless, it is hoped that a clearer picture will be painted regarding the proposed FMA during the information meeting which will be held at 7 pm at the Flare ‘n’ Derrick Community Centre in Turner Valley on July 4.
Representatives from the AWA, Bragg Creek Coalition, Kananaskis Coalition, provincial government and Spray Lake Sawmills have been invited to participate in the information meeting which will be facilitated by Highwood Business Development Corporation.
|
In this issue... |
||
|
Opinion  Helmet campaign identifies safe use See News |
 Okotoks singer celebrates debut CD See Entertainment  Sutherland wins sixth High River title See Sports |
|
|
|
||
