Nov 04, 2009 - 10:38 AM

By Chris Hall

SCUGOG -- Scugog firefighters should be sent to the front of the line when it comes to receiving H1N1 vaccinations, say Scugog's councillors.

Local firefighters, Scugog's elected leaders were told on Monday, are not considered health-care workers under guidelines set out by the Durham health department. As a result, they must wait, along with the general public, to receive their shot to ward off the flu virus.

"We have to stand in line like everyone else," said Scugog Fire Chief Richard Miller.

That tidbit, however, raised the ire of Scugog Mayor Marilyn Pearce. She pointed out that Scugog's firefighters carry out some of the same duties as paramedics and questioned what would happen if Scugog's firefighting ranks were suddenly stricken by the swine flu virus.

"I feel the firefighters should be given special status and given priority," said the mayor.

Councillors later agreed the Township should send a letter to regional officials outlining their concerns.

Currently, people from six months to 65 years of age with chronic medical conditions -- such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and weakened immune systems -- are among the priority groups, along with pregnant women with chronic medical conditions or who are more than 20 weeks pregnant, healthy children from six months old to under five years old, people in remote communities, health care workers and household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or who may not respond to vaccines.