Updated: Tue Nov. 03 2009 17:50:21

ctvcalgary.ca

While Albertans were waiting in line for hours to get their H1N1 vaccination, the Calgary Flames received theirs at a clinic set up specifically for the team.

On Tuesday, the president of the hockey team revealed the players and some of their families received their shots at a private location.

Ken King says the organization contacted Alberta Health Services and requested the clinic.

King says given the risks associated with their sport and the amount of travel the players do it was necessary to get the players vaccinated against H1N1 as efficiently as possible. "We thought we were doing the right thing given what we knew at the time."

The team's doctors worked with Alberta Health Services to assess the risk to players and the "potential commotion and intrusion that sending the team to one of the locations would cause," says King in a statement released on Tuesday. "Our players did not seek to either avoid lineups or get special attention."

The players received the H1N1 shot on Friday.

The players say they were just doing what they were told. "I don't think any of the players knew that there was going to be a shortage and at that point in time we had the option to do it I think there wasn't that scare," says Robyn Regehr.

The premier says Alberta Health Services is looking into what happened. "I can't speculate on what happened but we will have a full report very shortly," says Ed Stelmach. "Someone has broken the rules because it's deplorable."

"We've asked Alberta Health Services to get the answer and when we get the answer, I am not going to jump to any conclusions, but when we get the answer we will deal with it," says Health Minsiter Ron Liepert.

Meanwhile, Alberta Health Services is apologizing for the Flames players being vaccinated ahead of the general public.

Roman Cooney, a spokesperson for AHS, admits the vaccine clinic went against protocol and never should have happened. Cooney says AHS is now trying to get to the bottom of the incident.

Comments are now closed for this story

Bruce
The fire fighters, police and ems and their families should have the same private shots done as well.

Snowman
So why can't the rest of us make appointments for shots instead of waiting many hours in line? Our time is valuable too, and when you count up the number of people waiting, I'm sure the lost time and costs far exceeds the hockey players costs.

Tim
The Flames and their families get special treatment while the rest of us "unwashed masses" have to line up for hours including those at high risk. This is completely unbelievable! I'm more upset that Alberta Health Services agreed to this request than I am at Ken King himself. I bought Flames tickets yesterday and now I'm regretting it.

Jill
Because the NHL Hockey Season is so much more important than the lives and the health of High Risk Albertans.

Gimme a break.

Todd
I sure hope a young child or someone with an existing medical condition does not lose a life because professional atheletes were deemed "critical" for getting the vaccination ahead of the rest of the public. And who said we don't have a 2 tiered medical system already!!

Good Thing I'm Not Bitter
And what makes these guys and their families so special? Can you imagine Jerome and the boys and their families waiting in line with everyone else? They must have better things to do with their time. I have nothing better to do with my time so I can wait.

Mike
When can I request my special clinic for my family to get the h1n1 shot....oops, thats right, some people's lives are more important than others........

Brent
Good for the Flames to plan this so well. Too bad others weren't as forward thinking.

Marie
This is just ridiculous; I hope the players and their families feel guilty knowing they have taken the shots away from critically ill and immune suppressed individuals. Shame on you Mr. King and you Mr. Stelmach.

My husband is a Calgary Police Sergeant, as a first responder he can not even get a H1N1 vaccination, who will respond when they all become sick. His team had 3 working officers last week, due to flu symptoms of the other 5.

We wouldn’t want the NHL players AND their families to suffer would we.

Whoever thought out the distribution of the H1N1 flu shots, should consider getting a new job. Irresponsibility coupled with stupidity! Such a shame so many people will get violently sick and some will most certainly die, from one negligent individual and a government who could not care less and a NHL team that just couldn’t wait like the rest of us.

Katie
Unbelievable!!! Did Police, Fire and EMS not contact Alberta Health Services for the exact same thing? They were willing and able to set up and staff their own clinics, but were not given access to the vaccine! What is wrong in a society that values the health of a hockey team over the staff of our front line essential services? I am disgusted by this news.

Michael
"...its not what you know...its WHO you know".Hockey players can afford it. Or did they get it FREE?
What about all the Pregnant moms and little kids, who are still waiting?
It's about time to send Dr. Duckett, back to Australia...without HIS BONUS.
Of the 400,000 done, how many were really "High-risk"?
...it has been and will continue to be frustrating.
Tell me if the Police,EMS, and nurses are done???
The timing is wrong. Is this flu shot really necassary? Or is someone just making lots of $$$???

Brian
This makes perfect sense....they are in a high risk catagory...high risk of costing the fat cats at the top of the organization money. Hey wait a minute, doesn't his sound strangely like a two-teir health system?? Now the "hierarchy" of the public is becoming very clear...if you can play hockey "go on to the front of the line sir". If you don't play hockey, "too bad for you".

A Mom
It seems the H1N1 vaccine is for sale. I'm just wondering who we talk to in order to book personal appoinments for those who are actually high risk? Way to go Alberta Health Services, one bad decision after another.

Ticked Off
This is Crazy!!!

High risk life styles and now Hockey families get priorty. It does not pay to lead a healthy complacent life style. My family has officially been descriminated against.

Bring in two tier health care. The system that is suppost to be equal for all is one big fail!

Steve-O
Whoa! This is absolutely crazy.

At least the Flames team will be healthy playing in an empty Saddledome when all the fans are home sick or worse.

We as the status quo are already belittled compared to how much athletes make but to also have preferential healthcare is icing on the proverbial cake. Give me a break!

Seth
Oh, Boo Hoo!!

Anyone upset by this news is simply full of bunk! Pro atheletes have been getting the best medical treatment available for decades. Before all the "Babies" out there start filling their diapers, think about this:

Did any of the Calgary Flames players have a choice in getting this (unproven) vaccine??

I'd guess NO!

I'm not getting this shot, and I'm glad I still have the right to decide for myself!.....for now.

Joann
Appalling, absolutely appalling!

Shame on the Calgary Flames organization in believing players and their families are more of a priority than those at high risk!

Given the limited number of nurses and vaccine available, this decision is a disgrace to the Flames organization and embarrassment to this city!

Liz
More proof at how messed up our society as a whole is. Professional athletes make more money than doctors! Stopping a puck from going in the net is worth more than saving a life. God forbid one of the top scorers has to be out sick. Better for an officer than a hockey player I guess. And try telling me these guys are in the 'high risk' group!!!

Dale
I know a lot of people are criticizing the Flames. I would say their point is valid given the train wreck the shot clinics became. I do think that the Flames did the right thing considering the problems H1N1 is causing for the other teams in the NHL. Even TSN criticized the NHL for a lack of a foresight on this. On the other hand, the government should have considered that this needed to be imitated by all other employers whose workers are on the front line such as health, police, and even retail clerks.

Larry
It is a sad comment on our society, when the "elite" are put first in line,again, yet women, the sick, and young children are having to stand out in the cold, and then, sometimes turned away. I am a big flames fan, but I have certainly lost some respect for the flames organization. It's time that "millionaire atheletes" are taken off of their pedestal, and not be treated like royalty all the time. Very, very, disheartening!!

working joe
Well I am waiting for the high priority persons to get theirs, why aren't the flames? They are no doubt fit as fiddles, certainly more fit the an average joe like me, and I have to wait. Its ridiculous, they shoud have to wait like the rest of us until all the high priority persons are covered.

Kim in Calgary
This is a fine example of our two tier health care system currently in place. Money talks folks...

not a hockey fan
This city is so hockey stupid, news such as this will not affect the team whatsoever. Many Calgarians would follow the flames straight into a fire they are so blind with their love of the game. I hated the Flames before today, so my opinion is uaffected by this news. If anything it's just typical.

danielle
ThaT is the most disgustingthing I have heard in a long time!! The fact that they are hockey players does not make them any more special than anybody else!!I heard Ken King making excuses on the breakfast show this morning and it was a load of bull Shame on you and stelmack and everybody else running this circus!!And shame on the flames!!!

keith
Many companies arrange flu clinics for staff (mine will have one as soon as it can) so perhaps the issue is that the Flames had more foresight than other companies?

If it's because of the nature of sport and travel that they were bumped up then hopefully the Stamps, U of C teams, Hitmen etc. got the same treatment. If the Flames are given special consideration then that is wrong.

Spike
Special treatment for rich hockey players...Money Talks!

Sean
All is lost, Ken King is now giving medical advice. These are your heros, nothing but giving back to the community! What do you want to make a bet that Ken and the office staff also recieved the shot.

Make sure to Boo the Flames on the next home game for those of you suckers who have paid to see the game.

Fire: Dr. Andre Corriveau, the province's chief medical officer

dream
SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brenda
I'm with the rest of the people on here....how does a professional hockey player AND their families rate above emergency personnel? We really do have a messed up system that can allow this to happen. And if any of these professional players and their families have an emergency, who are they going to call? They had better hope there aren't too many out with the flu because, yeah, they didn't get vaccinated yet.

Jodi
I don't know who I'm more disappointed in, Mr. King who should have known better or Alberta Health for allowing it. Mr. King, care to share your contact info at AHC? I did not take my 11 year old special needs, medically fragile son last week to the mass clinics because he was a little warm, never guessing the clinics would close down so abruptly. Now I'm hearing he will probably still have to wait as a second prioritity (falling within the "under 65 with chronic health issues category).

But hey, Go Flames Go!

Maria
I work in a downtown office, every year our office books a private flu shot clinic to protect the employees, this year we booked our clinic in June and were just recently told that the private clinics do not have the H1N1 shot yet, so we will have to wait until the government can get them the vaccine. I cannot afford to miss work becuase of the flu, I have a family to take care of, but the hockey players who make more money than I could ever dream of, they get their shots first. That is nice.

charlotte
The worst thing is that the nurses helping give these shots, the ones being exposed to ALL these people, sick and healthy, dont even get the opportunity to have their families vaccinated either! So very wrong!

George
I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS! PROFESIONAL SPOILIED HOCKEY PLAYERS (AND THEIR FAMILY'S)OVER THE WEAK,YOUNG AND ELDERLY!VERY CLASSY!! HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN? THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE SCREAMING FOR HEADS TO ROLL...FROM THE TOP(ED) DOWN...

bc grrl
hey, it's the general public who worship these guys who make them better than the rest of us! all you who buy the tickets and the official merchandise are the ones paying for this elevation above the 'unwashed masses'!

another reason not to support or watch hockey, they are overpaid whiners to begin with and now they will be healthy overpaid whiners while the rest of us sit back with our tissues and barf buckets!
makes you rethink those season tickets, doesn't it??? how many sick people are going to be at the next game??? is it worth it???

Disgusted
Wow 5 clinics for all of Calgary and 1 clinic just for the Flames. What a joke our medical system is.

Elizabeth
The Calgary Flames jumped the queue because they are wealthy. There is NO reason that they should have received priority over children, pregnant women or anyone else. Money talks and it's just shameful. I guess the saying is true - it's who you know.

This whole process has been pathetic. I don't understand how it was so poorly planned and executed. What a disgrace.

Troy
At least the Oilers let pregnant women and children go first. This wasn't an NHL policy it was a Shames policy.

Lacey
Who says we do Not have a 2 tier Health Care System.
You can see $ and its power buy anything--Forget those who really need health care first.!

Darce
Well at least Shame fans will have to think up another excuse when they are eliminated from the first round again...can't blame H1N1 now.....what a joke!!

Susanne
I am sickened to think healthy, professional athletes (AND their families!) had a private clinic where they did not have to stand for hours to receive what everyone is and should be entitiled to. I work at a senior's lodge and any of the seniors that opted to go to the clinic(when it was open)to maintain their health status had to stand for HOURS... sick!! Well planned everyone....

Tammster
I had no idea hockey players were an essential service? Way to go AHS!

RJ
Can't blame the Flames for asking.... The fact they got approved over the Police, EMS etc is disturbing.

No Excuse
Now that they have had their shots, are they going to stop sucking on the ice?!

Carla
I work in the health care field and many of my fellow front line employees are unable to recieve their shots. I understand that the government has no control over the amount of vaccine that they were promised but it sure doesn't look too good when athletes are getting special treatment. I laughed when they wanted the Olympic athletes vaccinated as a priority group as well. I guess we know what value the government is putting on peoples lives. I haven't heard about the Oiler players and their families getting shots though... I guess they have a different outlook...what's more important.. peoples lives or losing a couple hockey games.

GD
Think about it. They travel frequently, sign autographs, etc,etc. If their employeer was wise to have set up the shots then be it. Stop your complaining.A lot people who lined up for shots last week where not even in the risk group.

Sandra
Wow. Sure wish I had married a hockey player.

Kathy
Someone crossed the line here! You can and will refuse to release the names of all who were vaccainated at Flames clinic hiding behind the Privacy Act, yet you will HAVE to abandon the Privacy Act to ensure high risk category patients do indeed fall into the high-risk catgegory to get the vaccine first!

Nice to know sports takes precedence over EMS, FIRE, POLICE, HEALTH CARE workers. Being in a high risk category, this is outrageous. "Secret" clinics are NOT acceptable, particularly when it is extended to include their family (was it immediate family or extended families??? Who was checking each person's ID to verify the person was indeed WIFE OR CHILD of the team player?). This behaviour is NO different than one person holding a spot for 10 people in a line at a clinic.

Marie Calgary
Aren't we really responsible for this? Just because these guys are skilled hockey players, we fall all over them including making them role models for our kids. In doing so we completely ignore their often unacceptable behaviours & give them preferential treatment. While it saddens me that we seem to 'value' celebrity more than pregnant women, children, 1st responders, etc...it doesn't really surprise me & I actually feel bad for that poor bureaucrat who arranged for the Flames to get the vaccine – he/she likely just wanted a signed jersey for their kid!

Gayle
Front line workers (ambulance, fire fighter, police, ect) should have been the ones to get special treatment. Gayle

Garry
Unbelievable. So a bunch of over-paid hockey players (and their families!) get to jump to the head of the line while the rest of the peons wait their turn. Pathetic!

Kim
How wonderful that the Flames and their families were moved to the front of the line for the H1N1 shots. After all they generate large quantities of money that is injected into our ecomomy.

What kind of revenue do the Police, Firefighters and Healthcare workers generate? None, so "no Flu shot for you!"

Thank-you Ken King and Alberta Heath Services for pointing out that you are better than most Albertans.

I guess I should lace up my skates and learn to play Hockey and someday if I am lucky, I too can go to the front of the line.

Shame on you!

Mif
flames before first responders
gee, special ed is at it again

Jim
This really shows where our priorities as a society really lie. A bunch of healthy, overpaid jocks are far more deserving and important than those who are truly at risk!

Absolutely unbelievable!

Bri
I don't know why we didn't have clinics with appointments. My 6 year old son has yet to get a shot. He has a broken femur and can't stand/wait in line for hours. I called about trying to get him an appointment for a shot and the healthline was no help

Arthur
Unbelievable;; was a tiny bit supportive of the health system before, they could not control location problems and supply problems. But this is the rock bottom for all involved including the Flames.....

Darek
My wife runs a daycare looking after the future of our society. Perhaps the thousands of children in close contact within daycares may be higher priority than NHL players.

Not a fan...
Everybody should boooooooooo them off the ice next game!

Joan
Absolutly unacceptable!!! As a frontline worker, I can't get a vaccination....whats with this? The Flames AND their families? who are they trying to kid? Just when I thought I had heard and seen it all, and yes, what about EMS, Firefighters and Police?

Ken
With the amount of travel these players do and a lot of it by airplane, would it be better to allow them to bring back H1N1 with them after a road trip and spread it through out the city?

Kevin
What a sickening decision and slap in the face to essential services, the chronically ill, and the working class of Alberta that keep this Province moving. Let's be realistic here, a few Flames get sick, they loose games, what's new? business as usual. But if a high percentage of the province's work force gets sick, it will effect a lot more. My Jersey will soon be hanging in a Value Village.

Ian
So just because I am a frontline ems worker and not making millions saving lives I can't get my own private clinic?

Stupid move on the Flames part! The respect for the organization of the Flames and the health minister has been lost.

Kath_Calgary
By the end of today the media will be aware of other "PRIVATE" clinics all of which should be published and broadcast to the LESS-IMPORTANT citizens of Calgary. Are YOU one of them?

I'm in the high risk category, but FIRE, POLICE, EMS, ALL HEALTH CARE should be priority #1!

Until the vaccination is administered to me, I have a prescription for Tami flu to slow down the progress of the H1N1 virus. I have not filled the prescription ONLY because Blue Cross does not cover the $150 cost. If the government expects me to wait, they should immediately authorize Tami flu prescriptions at no charge.

Not tomorrow, TODAY.

Vince
I don't have a problem with this because it makes sense. There are highly paid executives in town that have built in their contracts to get their health care in the US or privately at a clinic in Canada. Our Olympic atheletes don't line up to get blood work done with Joe and Betty SixPack. Can you imagine the commentator "Iginla not playing tonight - he is at a clinic getting a flu shot". If you truly believe your missed work time is as valuable as their missed work time you have an over inflated ego.

T in Calgary
Maybe you folks should read the relase on the Flames website before jumping to any conclusions!

Janet
Everyone should email the flames at customerservice@calgaryflames.com and let them know how you feel on their website. They have a lovely statement which is supposed to make this all better, all I can say is I will not support the Flames anymore! This is ridiculous!

Keith
Has anyone asked Mr. Stelmach if he has had the shot yet? If so, did he wait in line?

Vince
They were proactive enough to get the shots arranged. We were dumb enough to believe the government and stand in line. Are you people complaining that it is unfair the Flames weren't as dumb as the rest of us?

val
I have always been a large fan of the Flames BUT I can live without the Flames but we can NOT live without having the EMS, or Police or Firemen if they are down with the flu ,are the Flames going to pitch in an help put out fires, or help the injured or pack a gun around and arrest the evil ???? Come on sports verse the real people that help our city !!!! Tuck sports in the back burner for now. val

Rose
the hockey players are pregnant?

NL
The Flames players are definately not to blame as they were following reccomendations from the franchise. It's Alberta Health that needs to shape up. Why would they approve this? Just another mixed message from the health care circus!

Lindsay
While I don't blame the Flames and their families for jumping at the chancee to get the shot without having to wait in line (I would do the same thing if given the oppertunity) The shot SHOULD be offered the same way to front line workers. Whoever approved the Flames Clinic, but not something similar for the people who will be exposed to the flu the most should lose their job.

Paul in Calgary
Brent
Good for the Flames to plan this so well. Too bad others weren't as forward thinking.

Actually some organizations tried to do this, the power authority for example was not allowed to set up a private clinic for their employees. I guess Hockey is more important than heating our homes.

Carla
I have to laugh about what Ken wrote... what if the players bring it back from one of their roadtrips and spread it around the city..
Newsflash Ken... People already have the virus
Way to try and justify the private clinic these guys and their families got
I am in the high risk catagory myself and I stood out in the cold for hours to get my shot.
I guess nobody wants my autograph though so that's O.K. then..

Ron
Protest by staying away from the game then.

BEF
Appalled, disgusted, dismayed, flabergasted ... the list of adjectives goes on and on but what does it accomplish? Nothing. Maybe voicing our extreme disappointment to the Flames through their own message board at //flames.nhl.com might get the message across that King's decision to even make the request for a private clinic was beyond wrong ... it was an arrogance that cannot be tolerated during these times.

Janet
For all of you that think they were smart to get this set up, think again. My company tried to set up a clinic and was told that no private clinics are available at this time, and to call back in a few weeks to see if it can be set up then. The Flames were given special treatment.

Calgarian
If any player has a pre-existing condition which would classify them as high risk then great that they got the shot. If not, just because they are a bunch of public guys that chase some rubber around an ice rink should not have been given special treatment especially when we have high risk people dying in our Calgary hospitals right now from this. Good old two tier health care!!

David
Perception seems to be reality in todays society. It is percieved that everyone is better than their neighbor and the "me first" attitude is rampant and appalling. To blame?? Media hype and paranoia... I'm not getting either shot and many Albertans have no need to get one either. The dressing rooms in any sports building are a haven for infection. Cudos to the Flames for being organized and although it looks bad to some they did the proper thing and used common sense. Finally the provincial health officer has the proper strategy now, for at risk people.

Darryl
Not sure why everyone is blaming the Flames for this, All they did was ask if it was possible to set up a clinic for their staff. It was Alberta Health services that approved this decision. Do you think the Flames made this request Friday morning? My guess is this request was made last Monday-Wednesday.

We can complain about this all we want, but professional athletes get the best medical care without waiting in line for the same services the rest of the public waits for. They get Surgeries the next day if it is required, they do not wait in line for months for a surgery.

Alberta Health Services botched the roll out of this drug, they made the decision to set up this clinic, the Flames are not at fault for this.

Bobby
Does it really matter what took place. It will go on deaf ears. It's done, it was wrong, so let's move on.

johnny boy
money talks B.S. Walks that's the bottom line when it comes to our health care system. Get used to it it's here to stay.

Patty
I would like to know how Alberta Health Services deemed that it was more important to vacinate the Calgary Flames and their families before vacinating the people that are deemed at a higher risk.

no flames
all the front line emergency services cant get the vacine but if your a millionare hockey player you can get it through a private clinic??? well there goes this guys support for the flames FOREVER.Never will I ever attend a game or support this team in anyway shape or form.....pathetic that this was allowed to happen...when will my employer be allowed the same thing??? huh eddie I am listening!!!!!!!!!!

Julian
People seem surprised that those who are wealthy and high profile receive preferential treatment.
Have you all been hiding under a rock?

With that said, considering the Flames travel regularly, and are in close contact with a large number of people regularly, I'd say they are in a relatively high risk group.
Not to mention many of them are also in the high risk age category.

I agree that emergency services should have been the higher priority but I have a hard time placing the blame on the Flames' organization.
Blame AHS if you're not happy with the situation. They approved it.

Then again I'm not one of the many people that have been driven into a state of panic from the government and media's H1N1 fear campaign.

Doug
I see one of the headlines reads "People still lining up at closed clinics". Perhaps those people should line up at the Flames office for their shots. Might be faster than waiting with the "little people" for a shot at a clinic.

This is just wrong!!!!

Don
This is disgustingly unfair. Health Services continues to do the unfair. we don't need hockry players now, we need emergency services like police, fire, transit, etc. I could have lived with the latter going first, but not this. I still can't believe Health Service would agree with this. Who made this decision? We have a right to know. And...NO...the public will not calm down with this behavior from health Services.

Adam
I don't mind that the Flames players got there shots, it bothers me that there familes did. what did they classify as family or could the players bring uncles, aunts, cousins, 2nd cousins and so on, distant family 3rd removed. were there guidelines to this. not cool. do hope they get to the bottom of this. maybe we should all boycot the next flames game. attendance Zero. I'm sure once king loses some money he will be sorry.

Roy
I thought ,I had viewed the worst ED and his cabinet could deal out,I have viewed the line ups of the ederly and women and children standing in long line ups ,in the cold weather,to wait there turn for thier flu shots,and to here a bunch of millionar hockey familys ,were given special consideration over thes people,SHAME ON THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT AND SHAME ON THE CALGARY FLAMES FOR THINKING THEY ARE BETTER THAN THERE FANS,

Lynn
Again the media pandemic begins. No wonder we have so many issues in our society because of the media, power and money. It will be interesting to see how many papers are sold once again because of this "irresponsible" behavior. Who is to judge who gets the shot to begin with? We are all guilty of self-preservation no matter the consequences and if it means survival of the fittest then this is a prime example.

Cheryl
I guess we all know who the real heroes are now-a-days. No, not EMS workers who save lives, or police officers...but those pro-sports teams that save us from boredom with their 'amazing' hockey skills.

Thank God we have such a competent government to guide us through such troublesome times! Good thing Stelmach is ensuring that only those of high-risk are getting the shot!

Chris
Someone with AHS needs to lose thier job over this. It's reprehensible that healthy young hockey players have a higher priority that pregnant women, their children and people with cronic health problems.

sheldon
who ever alowed this to happen should lose their job ,this is unbelieveable while calgarians wait hours outside and not even get the shot when the clinic gets full and the flames have it given to them on a silver ,I guess the flames are more worthly than children, the sick and elderly

Greg
I would like to know if Ken King
and his family got their shots
as well?

Dave W
Further proof that this is a tired and inept government that is ready to go: Bring on the Wild Rose Alliance and lets get rid of the Tories: they have become worse in their performance than the Liberals during the years of Chretian. They are haughty, self-absorbed and now it appears entirely incompetent. Get out Ed and Ron.

Kay
That's just great. I work in long term care at a facility here in the city. I am exposed to germs and viruses all day long, on a full time basis. I don't even have my shot yet. But gawd forbid one of the Flames gets sick. Who cares about the people who look after the health of Calgary.

amy
I dont blame the flames for requesting a private clinic. can you imagine the commotion it would create for the flames players to line up in a clinic. as soon as 1 person recognized them and word spread how harrased they would be in such a busy clinic? however, if they had that treatment they should of had private clinic strictly for the high risk individuals in the general public. that being said health care workers did have the opportunity to be vaccinated, all health care workers including community physician offices, as well as alberta health services employees. there were in fact seperate private clinics set up, without locations advertised so they didnt end up with a bunch of desperate, over reacting people ( most of whom arent even high risk) lining up expecting to have the same.
So many people are letting this completly consume them its rediculous calm down people. in the past 6 months fewer people have died from h1n1 than people die from seasonal influeza every 6 days. I dont see people freaking out about the seasonal influenza every year. People just need to step back and look at ALL the facts dont let all this media hype panic you

Syl
Guess that puts the Flames right up there with prison inmates and the homeless. Hope they feel good about themselves.

Kate
What does this show about what our society values? We are teaching our children that if you can play hockey then your health is more valuable than someone who puts their life on the line every day for our safety. Every life is equal, and we need to treat this crisis in a way that values that idea, which means high risk and first responders such as police, ems and firefighters should be first, so that the rest of us can survive this flu. what good does watching hockey do us if we're all on ventalators?

IceTee in Calgary
Friends....don't blame the Flames for this....they used a protocol that is available by AHS to any professional athlete in the province.....this from someone who knows someone on the ins/outs of the system...

Matt
I support the Flames 100% in there decision to do it at a private clinic. They travel all over and are suseptable to the illness. You mean to tell me that if you seen the Flames in line you wouldn't ask for an autograph? What about all the people that got vaccinated that were out of the designated group to be vaccinated? They are not wrong for jumping in there when they shouldn't be there? I personaly think you should be mad at the Government and Alberta Health!

Jo-Ann
I guess our priorities are the hot shots first and the people who really make a difference later. I think our first priority should have been the at risk then those that are in constant contact with them. Medical workers and teachers should have been given the same option as the Flames, but only after the at risk had been taken care of.

Paul
The amount of travel and contact with other people that that flames come into is peanuts against many profesional people.
This is outright preferentional treatment and every flames plyer should be ashamed to have taken advantage of high priotity people.
Ken King needs a good smack
Paul, bANFF

Andrew
Can this crisis get any more disgusting? The Flames already have unprecedented access to doctors, medical facilities, dieticians, physiotherapists, and other health professionals. They are among the healthiest in Calgary, and best able to fight off any acquired viral infection. If anything, they are in the LOWEST risk category for severe adverse effects. And AHS is honestly putting them ahead of EMS, police, the families of nurses, and those with chronic medical conditions? What other "privileged" clinics have Ron Leipert and his cronies arranged?

Mike
Once again we are shown that $$$$ are worth more than life.
Anyone who doubts needs their cranium extracted from thy rectum.

Kevin
I thought the Flames organization was above the "me first at any cost" but I guess I was wrong. I am disgusted that the Flame's management would request special treatment, and at the players for accepting said treament. My regard for the players has taken a great spiral downwards. Children, pregnant women and all others at high risk, step aside, we have million dollar salaried, physically healthy young male athltetes in need well ahead of you!! I say "shame on the entire Flames organization" and call for the resignation of whoever from Albert Health authorized this special treatment. Can't wait to hear the sad excuses for why this was allowed.

Dan
Hey maybe everyone that's upset at the flames should shut it. The flames travel the continent, if any of them get sick the virus will travel quicker. I would be alot more worried about that than you whining cause you had to wait in a line. I'm willing to bet 90% of the people complaining don't plan to travel within the next month. I do agree with Bruce though and all emergency personal should also get the shot asap.

DIANE
my son is a Calgary Police officer and I and very worried about him because of what he deals with on a daily basis. The police....fire..and any front line person should of had this over a hockey team and there families...

Steve
This was just wrong. The individuals involved, on all sides, should stand up and apologize for their very inapropriate actions. I am a fan no more.

edd-medhat
This is totally disgusting, a bunch of millionairs use their influence and jump the line. What a bunch of sicko's. They jump over the line of young children which are at high risk, not to mention pregnant mothers.

Also,I would like to know who in Alberta health authorized this, and why they haven't been fired yet.

Darcy
must be nice. why not give everyone a free ticket to the games and maybe free beer at that. perfect example of your tax dollars at work.

Avril
I have pneumonia in my left and right lungs right now (which put me in a high risk category) and I haven't been able to get the vaccine yet due to long lines and being turned away. Which one of the Flames is high risk? I would like to know. I want my own h1n1 shot due to my circumstances but I'm "average Joe" so I will have to wait. Hopefully my time doesn't run out. The word liability comes to mind.

Ronnie
There is no reason why the Flames and their families received the shots before other people. One more strike against Calgary.

Sean- Calgary
This just goes to prove, if you have money you can get to the front of the line.

No justification for the priority for this or for families ontop of this. Some of us travel a considerable amount, even more than the Flames and this is an insult to people with actual pre-existing medical conditions or "high risk" that acutally need the shots.

I doubt that many 25-30 year old athletes in good physicall condition meet the "high risk" criteria.

Utterly disgusted... maybe the shot will help them play some decent hockey now? Enough with the excuses...

JS
Oh, boo hoo. All you whiners about the Flames getting their shots should move to Edmonton. You will fit in perfectly there.

Go Flames Go

iam
Flames getting immunized- Why not! They do travel and the public wants the game with healthy players. Money has always talked, and it is just too bad the public manages to get so upset. I may be high risk and may not make the next cut, but I will not be getting all upset over this. "Mostly Fed Up" with the hype actually!

David
Just a couple of days ago people were complaining about the homeless getting their own clinic, and now the same people are saying "money talks". Give me a break. God forbid you don't have any thing to complain about. The Flames are an organization, the players are their employees. Good for them for seeing the storm coming and preparing for it. They should be applauded. Maybe the City of Calgary should have consulted the Flames, and given their employees (i.e. fire department and police) the same treatment. I suggest if you are upset by this news, you take your concerns to your boss tomorrow morning.

Rob
Blame the provincal government, the drug company,this whole thing is a joke, and how much money are the drug companies making on all this! Common sense goes a long way, but there doesn't seem to be much out there.

Netty
The Flames need this vaccine just as much as everyone else. I can only imagine the chaos that would be caused if Jerome or Dion were seen standing in line for a vaccine. The fans tend to forget these players are also just people who knows what some crazy fan would have done. But even if there were Flames fans in these lines, can you imagine how many autographs they would have been asked to give. Their arms would have been sore before they got the vaccine.
I say leave the Flames alone and target those who really made this vaccine into such a huge chaotic situation!

Jamie
Hmmm, the reason why they got free shots..because the system is corrupt....because they get cool box seats for life....because the wealthy rule. Im glad I am rich

R
I will file an official complaint with the human rights organization . the rest of the human race is seen as second class or even lower than those elite $$$$.

Anne
This is the same group of pro athletes that are whining to have a new arena at taxpayers expense. Is this the same group who constantly informs us how much they give back to ALL Calgarians. It is sad that most people can't even afford to attend a regular game.....just an example of the elite taking care of the elite. Welcome to Alberta's new two tier health care system.

Joe
There is no point in living without hockey. The Flames weren't just vaccinated, our cities pride was too.

Joe L.
Calgary

Glenn
I am disgusted with the players on the Flames. If anything, they are not a required service like the firefighters, ems and police service. To hold a special clinic so the overindulged millionaires don't have to stand in line is a slap in the face to the rest of us.

Jessica
Disgusting and who decided the Flames and their families lives are more important then any other human? It is frustrating that their money and position takes precendent over other humans who actually are truly at high risk.

Curious did they have to wait 4 hours in a line up like everyone else? Right!

Donna
All this fake "equality outrage" is ridiculous. Who really thinks there are no elite persons who quietly got the shot at their own convenience?
If natives and homeless people get preference, what kind of reverse prejudice is happening? All the Flames in a lineup for several hours would really cause chaos.
Actually, many people initially didn't want the shot - now they just want it because they think it's in short supply and it's their RIGHT to have it.
We all deserve the vaccine, and I don't appreciate all the people making judgement calls as to who deserves it more!

Laura
Not only should the AB health people who gave the go ahead for this be fired, the Flames need to come out and apologize! In fact, they should all donate their lovely BIG salaries to help our health care system! Oh, and how about making them stand in line for 8.5 hours like I did - no water, no bathroom and no chairs!! The players all need to apologize for this - because they all CHOSE to get the vaccine in this manner! One of these "role models" should have had the sense to refuse. This is just more evidence in my books that these "stars" are greedy and not needed in our society! I may not have supported them in the past, but they have no hope of making me a fan now!

Trisha
Well it seems Alberta Health Services think hockey players are clearly more important than firefighters, police officers, doctors & other lifesavers. Good job there guys, I will not be getting an H1N1 shot.

Kim in Calgary
To Darryl and all the other posters who say "Good for the Flames for planning ahead"...now please explain to me why you appear to be so gulible? There are many other companies and institutions that give just as much to Calgary and none of them received their "special approval". Maybe the health official has a pair of new box seats for the next hockey season!

karen
If the flames didn't get their shots, at least our homeless could have stepped up to the plate.

Lynda
They saw the lines the chaos and confusion. Take one for the TEAM boys!!!!!! They are full of the usual I am alright Jack I am special. We the people have the power to show them and our government that they are not and only there because of our hard earned dollars so lets show them exactly how we feel and how unimportant they are against the lives of our families. If you really believe that this is wrong show it by taking your support away and voting out this arrogant and ignorant government.

Sharon
Unbelievable! Hockey players and their families deserve to be treated ahead of high risk Calgarians!?!? I wouldn't have recognized a Flames player next to me in line anyway. This is disgusting! Glad to see the province has their priorities in place.

Cheryl
Why should it be AHS that get fired when its the Flames organization..Ken King using their influence to get the request fulfilled..makes me sick..

Dennis
Re: Flames and family get N1H1 shots....

All previous Flames fans should boycott their home games.
Stelmach wants to get to the bottom of this issue.... How can he accomplish this when he instituded a gag order on all health employees????????

herman
I am sick to my stomach after hearing this.I am in the high risk after having a heart attack and diagnosed with copd as well.I agree with children and pregnant women first.Istood in line for over 6hours and never got my shot.Now you hear that some of the healthiest people get their own clinic is just gross.I used to be a flames fan but no longer as i can not cheer for anyone with no class.MR King i hope you and Eddie both rot.The people who authorised this should be fired and lose any pension or other income.

Laurie
I hope the people responsible for administering the vaccine to the Calgary Flames organization and their families are FIRED immediately. Shame on you for putting professional athletes in front of high risk people. Shame on you Calgary Flames!

Mac
This just shows how Capitalism is bad. When Money talks... you always go for the ones who have the most.
Conservatism and Capitalism are like two sides of a coin; always together. Together they remind me of how Alberta is Harshly Conservative.

ann
This makes me furious! I had to stand in line on Saturday with my high risk child for 8 HOURS!!! What right do the Flames have to this superior treatment? All they do is practice a couple of hours each day - plenty of time to get in line with the rest of us. And as for Ken King's explaination that it would have caused a commotion for the whole team to show up at a clinic - please! They didn't all have to show up at one clinic all at one time - do like the rest of us and take time off from work, throw on a ball cap and stand in line like the normal citizen that you are. Please don't make me sick with your arrogance.

Wonder how many free premium box seats Alberta Health got out of this?

I am disgusted beyond words - Flames you should be ashamed of your arrogance.

David
Why also their families? They could have just put the teams up in hotel rooms away from their families ... oh yea ... that would cost the Fat Cats more money ... Shame on the Flames.

SW
These are 25 or so grown men who play a game on ice chasing a frozen rubber puck wearing shorts and stockings. What gives them the right to receive the H1N1 shot ahead of everyone else. Do you have an answer, Mr. Stelmach,

gayle
Get it together everyone. When was the last time your employer made sure you didn't get sick. If I get sick and cannot work, I get docked pay. Good for the Flames management team to look after their employees.

Lisa
RIDICULOUS!
Police, EMS and Fire asked for the same thing last week and were told they would have to wait in line just like everyone else. Front line workers and others with REAL jobs have to stand in line - they should have too.
AS a long time Flames fan and supporter I am VERY disappointed and will no longer support these spoiled brats!

Nigel
I cant believe this actually makes the news... How many other corporations got the vaccine ahead of time? Why are we not more concerned with the fact that we had another fallen soldier in Afghanistan.... or that the Police are still missing Dean Robert Zimmerman, a serious high chance of re offending rapist.

Lets get things back in perspective, if offered not a single person who believes in inoculation would have refused, this is trivial at best.

Randy
While I was fortunate enough to receive the H1N1 vaccine, after 5 hours in line, the thought that the Flames and their families received special treatment demonstrates a lack of consistency and principled treatment.
To think that both the Flames and Alberta Health Services (AHS) would entertain such an exception demonstrates a lack of intelligence by both parties.
For Ken King, the former publisher of the Calgary Herald, to try to rationalise what are pathetic optics, shows an arrogance and head-in-the-sand attitude that is almost Neanderthal in nature.
As for AHS, anyone involved in the decision-making related to this fiasco, including Ministers (if such is the case), must be terminated in short order. I trust the Premier will be swift in dealing with such insubordination.
I guess this is why we need to change the city’s brand from ‘Heart of the New West’ to something more realistic.

Karla
So what? People get preferential treatment all the time. Since being in office do you think Stephen Harper's had to wait 18 months to get an MRI? These guys get knee surgery in a week.
In the end the blame for this falls on the province, not the Flames, and really they should have gotten the vaccines, as well as EMS, police and fire services people through private clinics before the vaccine became available to the public.
Also, I don't see anyone pointing fingers at the many other people who got vaccines by waiting in line who aren't in the high-risk groups. The system was flawed from the start.

Paul
Personally, I don’t blame the Flames Hockey Organization for doing what they did. If most corporations in the city had held a 1 day, in house vaccine, and invited employees children and close family members, Calgary would have been vaccinated by now.

Pipa
This is another example of the media blowing things out of proportion.

Firstly, at the time arrangements were made AHS was still telling everyone that there was enough vaccination for all Albertans, so there was no intent on the part of the Flames organization or players to take away from those who are more susceptible to this type of flu.

Secondly, people pay thousands of dollars to go see the Flames play and there is an expectation that not only will they play, but that they will be at the top of their game. If half the team becomes sick with H1N1, this will most likely lead to the cancellation of games or worse, we would be like the Edmonton Oilers and lose all our games. If this were to happen, people would start complaining about how they spent money on tickets and were unable to go to games. At that time, people would then complain about why AHS didn't make arrangements to have the team vaccinated.

Let's be clear - we are CANADIAN and we love our hockey.

Diane
Are you kidding? I have 3 high risk children plus myself and we can't even get close to getting it. Unbelieveable to say the least. I am disgusted to live in a city that allows this to happen. Disgusting! Thanks Ed for showing who is really important.

Sandra
Is this society really so confused and/or corrupt that they think hockey players are more entitled to protection than teachers, firemen, policemen? I am disgusted on so many levels I don't know where to begin.

Danny
I have no issue with the Flames holding a private clinic when the vaccine is available to the rest of the general public, but not until. The Flames organization should be embarassed, ashamed and disgusted with their actions. All week we were asked to allow high-risk patients access to the vaccine. Mr Regehr the media had reported all day Thursday and Friday morning
(in print and media) that there was likely to be a shortage of vacine, so don't say you and/or your fellow teammates did not know there was a shortage. Don't insult our intelligence.

TIm
WHO CARES!!! SO WHAT!! Don't blame the Flames Players they didn't organise it.. Blame Alberta Health..
GO Flames GO

L
If it means anything, in Ontario inmates in jail got vaccinated before the general public....

Meow
Like Paul, I don't blame the Flames organization for getting the H1N1 vaccine the way they did. My issue is the execution of the vaccinations. It should have been people on the front line (EMS, Firemen, Police, Doctors, Nurses... and so on) and those that are actually high risk.

While I realize some people who are not high risk are concerned about contracting H1N1, they should really step back and let the high risk people get vaccinated first. I would hate to go get a vaccine (as a non high risk person) and take it away from someone who needs it more than myself.

Larry
Unbelievable...it doesn't take an Einstein to realize that this move is pushing you ahead of high risk people who may need the vaccination.

Boycott the Flames!!!!!!! and any other elitists.

Danny
Paul, a bit of advice. Before you make such stupid comments get your facts straight. The city of Calgary did not receive enough vaccine to do as you stated. If I missed something please direct me to the article or news story that stated Calgary received 1 Million vaccines. I doubt our province received that much last week.

Debbie
Give the Flames a break. I believe this is just a deflection to take the heat of the Government. Let's ask this question: Did the government stand in line??

Nick
Shocked and disgusted .
Another example of the provincial goverments mismanagement of this situation.
Do the Flames management and players really believe they are so superior to the average Albertan that they can queue jump ahead of young children ,pregnant women and the chronically sick
Arrogance and lack of ethics prevail once again !
I am a very disgusted season ticket holder paying the salaries of these overpaid prima donnas!!!!

Al in Calgary
Well I am not going to knock the team .
If someone from their upper management organized a private clinic to which many companies do each year at a time when no one (meaning the non high risk )was being turned away yet from the other clinics then how can we blame them .
The ridiculous Alberta Health Services management is where the finger pointing should be done.
There is not much that they have done correct from the beginning .
The locations ,the venues ,the scheduling ,the way any of the locations have been organized and the total mishandling has left the public hyped and scared . The Olympic Oval was a disaster in it's own right .Herding seniors , invalids , and small children up to upper floors into areas that people could not hear what was being told to them because of the drone of the Zambonies below on the ice and having to line up for hours on end with shortages of chairs and again organization. I drove past the line ups and walked past them as well at Brentwood and saw elderly both healthy and not so healthy as well as handicapped lining up for 4 to 8 hour stretches in the cold with no where to sit and some panicked because they did not want to miss out on that extra ounce of insurance that they may live a little longer .Which they all rightfully deserve if that is what is needed .
Though I commend the staff at the clinics for their patience and diligence in handling what they had to handle .Which by the way most of the staff was not given and not yet allowed H1N1 shots prior or during though they were having to handle people that had H1N1 coming through.

gary
This is by far the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

Flames claim they told AHS and AHS denies it. Yet they got the shots.

So, someone thought they were better than everyone else and they want to protect their million dollar salaries.


I have no interest in going to Flames games to support people who think they are better than everyone else

Dan
I have one word "PATHETIC"!!!

Laurie
This is a HUGE problem. The Calgary Flames should have never been put ahead of children and pregnant women. How dare the Alberta government even humor the idea that HOCKEY players should receive shots before children and high risk individuals. Their families should be ashamed of themselves! They are not important, sorry but whatever your husbands say about you being the most important person in the world is false...You should never be the priority! It makes me sick to think that if this H1N1 acutally kills the masses that the hockey players are the ones to represent humanity! Even when they had the opportunity to actually stand up and make Calgary proud and say no. We will not be the exception, they turn around and do the most unmoral and decipetful action of all times.
At this time I am an Unproud Canadian.

KATHY
This is just another example of people's priorties, police, ambulance & high risk people all have to wait in line for the H1N1 shot, but if you are a Hockey Player you and your family get the H1N1 shot 1st and not only that they bring the vaccinations to you!
If they can bring the vaccination to the HOCKEY PLAYERS and their Family's why can't they bring it to the schools and the highly compromised individuals!!!!!!

Donna
I'm not against the fact that the Flames would be allowed a private clinic just for the fact that they are so admired they would be bombarded if seen waiting in line. I don't like it, but those are the facts. I AM, however, against the fact that they would be prioritized over those who are high risk and professional care workers. These are the people who are here to save our lives. If they are sick & dying who'll be left to save our lives? To save the Flames' lives from other injuries and sicknesses? It's just not logical. AHS is to blame here. They could have changed their minds when the time came for their clinic, knowing the situation that would arise. Don't kid yourselves, they knew it was coming even if only the day before.. or even the morning of. I could be wrong but I don't think the Flames would've cried over having to wait a little longer. I would like to think they care at least somewhat about their fans. I do not think all the workers involved in giving this clinic/these shots to the Flames should be punished. They are paid to do a job just like the rest of us are paid to do our jobs. I have to do what I am told to do at work in order to have my job and get paid. The same goes for them. HOWEVER, the head honchos in charge should be disciplined. Maybe not as extreme as fired but at least suspended without pay for a significant period of time.

Mike
Thank you Alberta....I am not as important as the Calgary Flames!!! Heaven forbid a grown man misses a couple of games cuz of the H1N1! When a 5 year old child dies....how silly of me to think that Children and pregnant women are and always should be the priority.

Bubba
The AHS personnel that arranged and allowed this "special vaccination clinic" to be held, MUST be terminated.

Once again, our "bureaucrats" are giving special treatment to celebrity/wealthy persons. And probably, themselves and their own families.

And only by making an example of those who have done this, can the public gain any trust in this government.

CJ
It is bad enough that hockey players and their families were given priority over health care workers and emergency workers, but the fact that they actually accepted the private location vaccines, shows that they think they are above everyone else. Whatever would we do without hockey players in our society?

CJ

bob
It's unfortunate that the Flames would take advantage of an incompetent government.

Calleigh
The players probably thought they were doing the right thing, as instructed by management. The problem lies within the flames management and the people they were dealing with at ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES.
The consignment of vaccine and nursing staff made available to THE CALGARY FLAMES organisation broke all the provincial rules. The AHS people responsible will be fired and the first to go should be the minister of health Ron Liepert he has been out of touch with the realities of the vaccination program from day one.

Dave
I think the Calgary Flames owe Calgarians & Albertans an apology!

I am a front line healthcare worker who has NOT had an H1N1 shot yet. Neither has my wife nor my 3 kids under 5 had their shot yet. I couldn't get them shots in any line up. Personally for Alberta Health Services to provide me with a shot (if I want) but not my family is wrong. I could be vaccinated and carry the virus home unintentionally and infect my unprotected family. Why should the Flames get the vaccine 1st. They have LESS CHANCE than I to carry it home to family.

So the province says high risk first, except the Flames, except who else?

The Province should also consider that front line healthcare workers while innoculated could potentially carry the virus home to their families unintentionally. Our families require the H1N1 vaccine as much as we do!

Confidence in my government to do what is right has failed. Mr. Stelmach who would you hold accountable for this failure? Mr Ken King I'm glad you & yours are protected, what about those of us dealing with Influenza Like Illnesses daily? Shame on you! All of you who have jumped the cue, invited to or demanded to (get the vaccine ahead of others at GREATER RISK)!

CalgaryRealtor
The media is making far more of this than it is. First, Flames team president Ken King spoke with Alberta Health Services last week who made the vaccination arrangements *AHS is a branch of the Alberta Provincial Gov't*. Second, People and editorials across the province are calling for Ron Liepert's resignation. He doesn't have a clue what's going on in the department he's in charge of. Third, I hope the Edmonton Oilers also got vaccinated (and perhaps both CFL teams too). Lastly, why haven't vaccinations for every one of the province's emergency responders been arranged: Police, EMT's, Firefighters, Nurses?

Richard
If Ken King is suggesting that the players got the shots at a private clinic because of their high profile why were their family members there? Surely their wives and kids do not fall into that catergory.

Anj
The Flames travel a lot ...boo hoo ..so do many other people who will have to wait now for their shots. I'm gonna call Alberta Health tomorrow and ask for a private clinic for my son's soccer team. We have a big game coming up and we can't risk kids getting sick. Wish I'd thought of it sooner.

FOXY BOB
I GUESS THE GREEDY CALGARY FLAMES
AND THEIR FAMILIES DESERVE THE H1N1 SHOT MORE THAN HIGH RISK PEOPLE. I HOPE THE FLAMES DON'T MAKE THE PLAYOFFS NEXT YEAR OR THE YEARS TO COME. I'LL BE CHEERING FOR THE OILERS INSTEAD THIS WAS A BAD MOVE CALGARY FLAMES THINKING OF YOURSELFS AND YOUR FAMILIES FIRST THAN THE SICK PEOPLE WHO NEED THE SHOTS MORE.

cimarron
They can't even win the cup!!!!
Get in line boys!!!

Calgary- Skeptic
I want to see Ed Stelmach stand in front of a camera in a week and explain to Albertan's who is responsible for this and who will be held accountable for this decision. I want to see the names, organizations and decision makers that were involved in this decision.

When clinics are shut down and our essential services like EMS, Medical Staff, Police and Fire personelle have to stand in line like everyone else, please explain to me why a boys club on hockey skates is getting a private clinic to get immunized with a vaccine that is supposedly short in availability, yet have enough for their entire families to get as well?

I would like to know how a hockey club is more of an essential service than our front line critical services and people who are legitimatelly "high risk"

Cough up the names Eddy, I wanna know who made the call, who is responsible and what your gonna do about it to make things right!.

Enough already!!!
Who. Cares.

Yes I said it. Who cares. I'm so sick of people panic'ing about this or pointing fingers or insisting people are fired over it. Is it doing you any good? No.
There will be more shots. In the meantime, spend your energy taking care of yourself. Get lots of sleep, eat properly, enjoy your family and live your life.

Bob
It's hard not to be cynical about this type of thing.

An example of self service at its finest.

Not My Team
This is a serious lack of judgement not only by Alberta Health but also by the Calgary Flames. Shame on both for the cue jumping. There were senior citizens waiting outside in cool weather for 6-7 hours for their H1N1 shots! Obviously, the seniors are tougher than the players. For AB Health, heads need to roll. Plain and simple. As for the Flames, I won't support them this season given how they think they're above everybody else.

Randy
I agree that Calgary Flames is a business with employees that do a significant amount of travel. However, there are dozens of Calgary businesses that do an equivalent amount of travel over the course of a year whose employees have equivalent exposure to virals etc.. If the President of one of our local firms phoned AHS, I'm sure they would (if AHS even took their call) be told, in the politest possible way, to PFO.......... I have now officially lost confidence in the system and, also, in the ethics of the Flames employees who knowingly jumped the queue ahead of others.

Do the Math
Clearly our Heath Care system is messed up and we really didn't need the H1N1 vacination debacle to confirm this.

But wow!! I can't beleive what some people will complain about. With a roster of 25 or 30 players plus "some of their families" we are talking about less than 100 vacinations. This really doesn't make a bit of a difference. Do the math: with 300,000 shots already administered, we are talking about three one hundredths of one percent (0.03%)rounded off that makes 0%, zero, zlitch, none of the shots to date. I know your thinking "but it's the principle". Get a life - I wish they would have pulled the Stampeders into the clinic too.

Diane
It's not the Flames at fault here, Alberta Health Services arranged the clinic for them, even knowing that there would more than likely be a shortage. All the Flames did was contact them and request that it be done, if it shouldn't have been done then Alberta Health Services shouldn't have approved it. You can't fault the team for that.

Rob
I am not upset that they asked for and received the vaccination but now I am confused....when we need a nurse, firefighter or police officer for our sick children - should we call a Flame?

sure
Hey, I sure hope the AHS got enough money to have health care a priority in this province.

Heather
The hockey players STINK. So does the rest of the organization that condoned this line-jumping.

As if anybody would even care if an overpaid jock and his family were in line waiting for a shot with them.

Bryant in HR
The vaccines were made available for free to those Flames players - don't we all realize that this vaccine is the same one paid for by our taxpayers dollars to the manufacturers to make the vaccine to ship to the clinic that serves the Flames for their own shots!!

Now lets ask ourselves, what can we do to prevent more of this preferential treatment from happening again? Lets tell our MLA's what is happening and hope they call an inquiry into this preferential treatment.

charlie
Say good night, Ed.

Rick
Pathetic! when you think of your young children,senior citizens, cancer patients and pregnant women who were required to spend hours in line ups. Who knows who else in the 'elite' society have received thier vaccination(s)? This is the start of the have all, and have none society everyone, get used to it!

Carol
Some people have nothing better to do than complain! The clinics were not set up properly to handle the mass of people to begin with and there was an uproar, then the Flames and families got their shots and there is more complaining and controversy. Give it a rest and use your negative energy on keeping yourself healthy!!

Paul
I laugh when I hear Iginla on TV saying "They just told us where to go, and we did". One could say it reinforces the idea that hockey players a dumb lugs that can be herded like sheep. Could he really say when he heard about this clinic he did not consider the fact that there are asthmatic kids who did not get the shot because they could not stand in line for 5 hours. They deserve a special clinic over the most fit and probably least at risk group in society. Shame on the government for allowing this. Shame on the players who selfishly took advantage of it. Boycott the next home game.

V
I'm wondering WHO ELSE (besides the Flames) got "vaccination" special treatment this past week? Guess what? THEY'RE not talking!

Yes, we want full disclosure from the health minister! Who ELSE got their's privately and didn't have to join the queue!?

Penny
Wow! Another thing Alberta Health Services messed up! No wonder why people don't trust the system right now. Go Flames Go!

twinchin
Sick outfit these flames.

not surprised
hockey = business = big money. we all know money talks. gotta protect your interests right?

Kit
The selfish behavior of Calgary Flames brings SHAME on all Albertans! Alberta Health Services, please give all Albertans an explanation on this terrible arrangement!

Kevin
Wow...since when is a seasonal part time worker in a non essential role on the list of high risk. We waited in line for over two hours for my wife who is a high risk pregnancy to get the shot. She is getting home care, has hypertension and gestational diabetes, needless to say this pregnancy could go very wrong without her waiting for hours to get a shot. Let that be a lesson to so called "Men" that rolled up their sleeves in privacy. Be real people the Flames players are not special, they should not have preferential treatment over anyone. They ought to be ashamed of themselves, their establishment and their own arrogant natures. Way to show that you are all nothing more then whinning little boys that think you are entitled. You are lucky sleep well

Pat
I agree with the decision to have Flames players get the shots. These guys are top end athletes and if we want to bring a cup to Calgary we need them in the best condition.

Sean
This is awful! I have a pre-existing medical condition and I haven't been able to get the shot yet. Private APPTS as we all have to stand in line for 5 hours and some cannot even get the shot due to shortages. Why are they so special? Thank-you for looking out for the "most at risk" Did their dogs get one too?

Greg
Who really cares that the flames and there family have gotten the h1n1 vaccine? personally if your immune system is weak enough to fall to the h1n1 your in trouble to begin with..
and second profesional athletes always get amazing medical treatment? get over it. and if you want the vaccine go wait in line. simple

Peter
Did the Flames pay for their shots ?
Did they pay extra for the service ?


Come on folks, get serious here. I am high risk and got my shot last Tuesday with 2 hours between entering and leaving the building.

The whole process has been faulty, and mixed messages have come from everywhere. We still aren't being told all the truth about the virus and the consequences, and the MEDIA is 90% to blame, using firstly selective hearing at news conferences and then selective reporting afterwards.

GET REAL PEOPLE !!

Jojo
Forget about the stupid vaccine, this city needs a massive supply of crying towels. This is seriously getting out of hand. Since when do we whine and cry about every little thing? Lord, my kids drive me up the wall with their whining, this city has become full of grown adults who are worse than kids. What kind of an example is that to set for our youth? If you don't get your way act immature and cry about it? No wonder kids these days are the way they are.

I wish we could have our friendly city of 10 years ago back! I sorely miss it and I'm sure many will agree. I'm so disgusted by the way people act in this city lately.

Tyler
Hate to break it to you people but we don't live in a communist society so money talks... just the way it is. If you don't like it get a higher paying job... sounds ridiculous but we're living in a capitalist society.

Don't blame the Flames... they asked and got it. Blame the ppl that gave it to them.

My 2 Cents

Brian
quit your crying alberta....seems like you guys are becoming more and more like the ndp everyday...SUCK IT UP SUNSHINE!!

Pam
I'm sooooo embarrassed, no worse... ashamed to be a Canadian at this moment. We look like fools to the rest of the world! First we brag about having enough medication to vaccinate all of Canada, to being the first country in history to combat an epidemic... to ooops no we don't have enough, even for the ones who 'need' it, and now this? Talk about disorganization!

Do I blame the Flames players, their families or their organization for getting the H1N1 shot? No, not at all, everyone was "told" there was enough medication to go around...

Well all I can say to the Alberta Health Care Services and our Government... you made history for us alright... thanks, I appreciate the dumb cap on my head!

Liz
The Stamps did not get their own clinic. Sure, many of us are disgusted by this, but I am sure the games will still be sold out.
Anybody who thinks this is a good move needs to give their head a shake!!

Mitch
Calgary LAMES
I hope your feel good about getting you and yours the H1N1 shots. Before the people that really need it.
Guess there's no doubt money talks
As for your comment "We just did as we were told." PLEASE I'm gonna PUKE. Your adults you know right from wrong. and the BS of "We didn't know there was a shortage....COME ON how daft do you think the general public is.


Calgary the LAMES have displayed how much they care for you. Return the favor let them play to an EMPTY house.

PS Iggy I expected more from you.

Moe
Way to keep it classy Calgary Flames... Jumping in line ahead of pregnant women, cancer patients, little babies so that multimillioner young healthy low risk professional athletes could keep making millions for their bosses...

Edmonton Jim
The provincial government continues down a path of incompetency and mismangement. HEADS MUST ROLL OVER THIS!!!

Jason
This makes me sick. I think all levels of goverment that are not working right and the people that gave them the shot first should lose there Job. When I saw people sick/ old and really needing it waiting in long lines in the cold for 7plus hours. Maybe this will stimulate debate. But than again goverment and evryone on TV talking about there friends that do no wrong.

Darrin
Athletes? Really?? Those in the best possible physical condition - IE: the least likely to get sick - get special attention?

I *really* hope this decision costs someone his/her job.

Disgusted
I'm a frontline nurse AND pregnant and still have not been able to get the shot. Shame on AHS and the Flames for cue jumping! This completely violates the principles of our health care system the rest of us work so hard to uphold.

C Johnson
Oh ya, it's one great big system that is totally fair and no one can pay to jump the queue.

Isn't it amazing how many tiers our single tier system actually has?

MattL
YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THESE GUYS SPEND MANY HOURS ON A PLANE AND THAT THEY ARE EXPOSED TO MORE PEOPLE THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A STICK AT. I THINK THAT ANYONE WHO HAS A ROLE, NO MATTER HOW GREAT OR SMALL THAT HAS EXTREME EXPOSURE TO PEOPLE ON A DAILY BASIS SHOULD ALSO GET THE SHOT.

from N. AFRICA THAT MY VIEW

Rich
Should anyone be surprised that the Flames slipped through the back door ahead of much higher risk, more susceptible individuals to get their H1N1 shots? This just shows the elitist, classless, self centered attitude of this pathetic organization. However, how could we expect anything less from an organization who last year signed Todd Bertuzzi? Hopefully the public will remember this when the Flames ask the tax payers to fund a new Prima Donna palace for them.

marie
I can't believe it. Who do they think they are. They are hockey players no more no less important than any other citizen of Alberta. It's not like they the real heros ie firemen, police, EMS they push a puck across the ice. The way they are playing lately maybe a hockey clinic would be more appropriate.

Bev. in Calgary
I am not a hockey fan but I do not have a problem with any group requesting a private clinic. In fact the whole process could have been much faster if all companies, schools, and groups like the police, firefighters, medical personnel etc had done this in the first place. As long as no group is charging for the shot or making a profit from it I see no problem at all in it being distributed in a more effective manner.
I do feel the whole process has been badly planned and should have been done in smaller groups to cut wait times for everyone. I waited for 5 hours on the first day to get my shot as a qualified high risk qroup member and thought the whole process could have been much faster with good planning. Our so called health care system has become too used to making people wait to the point where they think it is suppose to be that way. Waiting times should be completely eliminated. If you have an 8 am appointment and you are there on time you should be seen at 8 am not 2 hours later.
The blame for the lack of vaccine belongs squarely with the manufacturer and the fact that only one company in Quebec was given the contract to produce the vaccine. It should have been produced by several Canadian companies to the same exacting specifications.

Nothing new
For all the most ignorant things to do, yes, people this is our government. The only good thing that has come out of this HINI vaccine pandemic, is the call for the resignation of Ron Liepert. Our healthcare system is going to get a lot worse, people. It has just begun.

Bill
I wonder how the team will feel as the death toll of this disease starts to climb? Will they be able to sleep well anyway? I don't think they are in the high risk group but they must be an essential service group.

Well Said
With thoughts like that I would like to nominate poster Joe L. for the position of Mayor... Finally someone with true vision for the city!

Rong
I say stop going to the hockey games, show them who's boss!

Robert
I am so ANGRY at this issue. The Flames has just shown a huge immoral slap to all Albertans in a crisis.

All I have to say without cursing is this -
Flames players make cash donations to a Childrens Charity.

Flames organization make an apology for THEY'RE decision to go ahead of those in need and make a cash donation to a children's charity.

Vote NO
Well Calgary West, you're the ones who voted for Ron Liepert, are you going to fire him?? Look at this issue that he has dropped the ball on more than once. Look at how he talks to you - He's in power, he will not do what you want until its time to re-elect then its nicey nicey.

Look at his performance over the last while.

Alberta - The Tories are killing our province we were so proud of before, now NOT SO MUCH.

yogi
I am not a Flames fan.
However the right thing for the players to do is go in the line-ups and spend a minimum 3 hours each signing autographs. At least some kids will be happy.

Paul
Where is the outrage for the "Special Clinic" that was opened to the "Homeless"? It's not politically correct to criticize that group of people.
Where is the outrage to the people that blocked a place in line that should not have been there in the first place? It's pretty easy to say that: "I Was Confused!", but plain and simple it was: "Forget the waiting my turn, it's every man for themselves". Get off your high horses and relax. All of the "At Risk People" should be directing their anger at the "Not at Risk" types as well. This is quite simply “Panic” at its worst!

Paul

Chuck
As usual a lot of you lack a view of the bigger picture with this "Let's punish someone, anyone, for this major breach" attitude.

While that's happening, how about the Flames completely suspend all charity events & fundraising and see how THAT affects you.

It is simple-minded to view the Flames as ONLY an NHL team considering everything they do for our city.

I'm not saying it was right, but there is a BIGGER PICTURE!

darren
I have worked many years overseas in 3rd world and Eastern European countries where this would be expected. I am now a bit shocked that we are no better than these corrupt places. Shame on the Canadian Government. It just shows we have the same corruption within our own system.

Donald

I'm sure a few free tickets were handed out for this special treatment. I'm selling (if I can) the rest of my tickets. BOOOOO FLAMES.

Rob
I'm glad I live in Winnipeg without a pro sports francise to steal health care from those more desrving. Shame Shame.

cw
Uhhh . . . why???? Are there that many germs on the ice? I work with the public daily in a very confined area and have yet to be given one by my company. Too bad I'm not a pretty boy makin lots of money!

Gail
The Alberta Health Care are fully to blame for the Flames Team/family being able to jump the line for their H1N1 shots. If AHS themselves did not approach the team for priority shots, all they had to do was to refuse any requestby the Flames to receive the shots. And SHAME on you, the Flames Team (including management & families) for using the excuse that you were not aware of a shortage of the vaccine - do you not listen/watch any local news???

Bonnie
The media has everyone whipped into a frenzy over this. It's time for some deep breathing and calming down. What a sad situation when so many people raise a hue and cry over folks getting health care! The Flames organization just wanted to take care of their own. Since when are these people not high risk and qualified for the immunization? They travel all the time in aircraft, rebreathing all the same air, they are mostly young with young families, they are constantly exposed to other groups in the same category in cities all over the continent ... Who among you would not have taken advantage of the exact same opportunity to get the vaccine given the chance and your company provided it? It's done. If blamed is to be laid, blame the people who approved it not the people who asked for it.

Cry Me A River
You people are all hyporcrites, if you had access to the vaccine for yourself and your family with out waiting in line you would all get it with out a second thought! Blame the source not the User!!

GO FLAMES!!!

Joan
You can't unring a bell...therefore, while it is appalling that this happened, it DID and the fact is the Flames and their families do have the vaccine. Its a disgrace and dishonor to the Flames!

c
I understand people are freaking out about this vaccine. Its all being blown out of proportion... who cares if the flames got their shots before every other person in this city, provice, country, town who cares! there is people at my work that have H1N1 and we still dont have our shots... people are over reacting, i know this is something that has killed people and its spreading, but what is freaking out and complaining going to do about it other then nothing? there are more important things in life other than being mad at the flames for getting a needle. give me a break no one has a say its up to health services and the big shots who get to tell people they can or cannot qualify for it, so dont be mad at the flames. if you had that chance i gaurentee all of you would go get it. stop making everything such a big deal and deal with whats importanat right now, things you can do.

Marcel
The H1N1 vaccination was a failure from the start. It has been nothing but negative since they started rolling this stuff out. I think most of the blame for this newest uproar is AHS and the Flames management. The players should have known better. Just because they are making millions and are a role model to some people, does not make them any better then the "average joe". Those 50-100 shots could have gone to people in need of them, instead of going to healthy athletic males. 50-100 shots isn't much in the grand scheme of things, but that is 50-100 less for people that are in need and want to have the shot.

I would like to see the outcome of this "investigation". My guess is nothing.

Rachel
I personally am not getting the vaccine, but am still disgusted by this. As there are many people who are being turned away from clinics all over Canada due to a vaccine shortage, and many of those people actually NEED the vaccine.

Fine you can say that the hockey players would have caused a scene had they been standing in line. But why their families? They likely wouldn't have been recognized. They could stand in line just like every other Canadian citizen! I would have to guess it's because we all know they ARE NOT high risk and would not be able to recieve the vaccine.

Sad world we live in when the rich and famous take priority over the sick and needy.

Randy
I just don`t get the problem here these players travel all over the place , come in contact with all kinds of people and shake hands with fan`s everywhere they go ,the next time your kid gets a autograph from one of these players they could end up with more than they barganed for giving them the shot does not just protect them but everyone they com in contact with,and putting them in a line up would just caus kaos ,it just makes sence to me , and yes I have gotten my shot I stood in line for 7 hours in Red Deer without a single complaint!!!!

Pat
This is what Alberta has become, your measured in dollars. This government and previous governments have created a society with different levels of worth. Being a working class person means you have very little worth to those making the decisions. The message was received loud and clear. They are going to investigate themselves to see if they or who did something wrong? That should yeild results I'll bet, NOT!

Neutral
I honestly don't see what all the fuss is about - the majority of those who have already lined up and received the vaccination were absolutely not those deemed "critical". Secondly, if the entire Flames team and their families went and lined up, can you imagine the ruckus that would have caused "Iggy - can I get your autograph" "Kipper!" ... ok maybe it would have been fun - but seriously people, get over it. There will be more vaccine out soon.

Darin
re: "Joe" and his comments:

"There is no point in living without hockey. The Flames weren't just vaccinated, our cities pride was too."

PLEASE!!! Someone needs to get a life... If their only reason to live is Calgary Flames hockey, Calgary as a whole is in worse shape than ever... Hockey is a sport, people. I am NOT a Lames fan, nor ever will be - but this is ridiculous!!!

Robert
Stop your bleeding hearts.

The real issue here is the people that wait from 1am with there 4 year old children, that is just bad parenting. If you are that concerned with getting this flu then stay home. It is unbelievable that the "news" in Canada is thinking this is a top story. The Flames are constantly traveling to high risk areas, they come into contact with a large amount of people, they are constantly in public places. I am pretty sure their situation is more important than little sally who goes to daycare with 4 other people. They never jumped the line like every other "news station is reporting, they were invited to a private facility.

Stop all this hysteria, be responsible for yourself. Everyone is acting like a bunch of children complaining that "he budged me". Grow up wait a couple weeks and get your shot, you know when you wait outside in minus 5 weather you lower your immune system and you are more susceptible to sickness. Use some common sense calgary.

Ella
Mr. Stelmach said someone has broken the rules. So, is someone going to step down from their office? Who is going to prepare the full report? Anyone from the Stelmach office? or the Alberta Health Services?
When a hockey player is sick, they just simply stay home. When a fire fighter or police or ems is sick, who is going to take care of the public (the tax payers)?????

Myra
What is sad is that I thought we lived in a country where equality prevailed; where democracy elects fair, competent members to ensure that all Canadians receive equal treatment; where our tax dollars are spent ensuring that every man, woman, and child has worth and value, regardless of status.

terri
it only goes to show you that money and power are everything. the private nurse that came to houses or where ever they had their shot should be fired, and ken king and the rest of the flames that have movie stars for wifes should aplogize to calgary for what has happoned,

pretty sad calgary shames.

peter
Now the bureaucrats are playing stupid and passing the buck, Ken King is giving medical advice, and the Flames players and families are just good little sheep doing what they are told. Nothing is going to happen to the Flames and Alberta Health will continue to employe people that could never make it in the real working world.

Des
In Alberta the elderly, the to sick to stand in line, and the diabled have been inprisioned by the methods used to inoculate people. We were scheduled to have our shots today; I took off from driving cancer patients, and only yesterday was it confirmed that we could not get our shots. Now I'm thinking I should refuse to drive more patients until I have my shot. I personally have had a stroke, live with Diabetes, but feel I am fairly healthy. If I don't drive until protected the only people who are affected are those who are already sick so I will honour my commitments and try to stay safe. I never thought of actively working to change the government of Alberta until these past few months.

keith
I am a Flames fan...I couldn't believe this happened...I stood in line for 3 hours to get my shot...I am a high risk.....there where people in line with walkers and a woman in front of me with 3 small children...I think that Ken King should have nether requested this ...If he would have took the time to stand in line he would have not made this request...
I am really upset because it was my team who did this...What where you thinking!!!

sue
potential commotion and intrusion that sending the team to one of the locations would cause... they really think they are special eh??? Get over yourselves!!

Brad
Hot damn Nigel you hit it on the head. So many whiners and complainers, and worse yet all the doomsayers and their "what if someone dies because the Flames got theirs first" attitude. What a joke. Get over it and move on. This non-story has already had way more than the 15 mins allotted to everyone. Listen to people grandstand and be all high and mighty when they would have been the first in line if it had been offered to THEIR company makes me ill. Speaking of ill, I already had the flu this fall and you know what....it's just the flu.

Garren
This is the stupidest thing I've heard of. OMG its a hockey team, they should not have any more priority over everyone else. As a firefighter, I think all EMS, police and firefighters and their families should get the H1N1 shot. But we should have to wait like everyone else.

Dave S
This is what happens when you place sports players above all else, they are paid millions for playing a game. And you can bet your life Liepert and the rest of the AB Government have already had there shots as well. You see it really is funny when they say you need a good education to get high paying jobs///Bull just play sports or get in on the Government
What a sad pathetic life this is.Not one sports player or anyone in Government is better than our EMS,Police Fire and Doctors and Nurses

Nursing Student
I am a nursing student and I was told that I am not allowed to continue with my clinical unless I got the vaccination. The problem was.. the line to get it was HOURS! Everyone is busy and doesnt have time to wait in line, but apparently making millions playing a game gives you an advantage to everyone else. When did hockey players become high risk? I was at the hospital this week first hand with people who are sick and I dont have the vaccine. There are children, people who are immune suppressed, elderly, doctors, first responders and other health care professionals who are HIGH RISK that deserve it more! NOT HOCKEY PLAYERS who never come in contact with it anyways. But hey we live in a country that lives and breathes hockey... go flames go :(

rick
the entire flames organization has shown a lack of ethics and integrity. i am greatly dissapointed in the flames. how is there shot more important than a chronically ill patient or a child that can't breath? sorry flames, you have lost my $$ for tickets and support. enjoy your health while other are suffering on your backs.

Sharla
i am sticking up for the Flames Organization here.

if anyone ACTUALLY knew the involvement and contact with the public this team actually has, you'd understand. keep in mind as well, this request and clinic happened BEFORE the supply issue.

never mind the amount of travel (considered a high risk activity) they are required to do.

they are at just as much risk, if not more, than some health care workers.

it was a very responsible move on the part of the organization. the only reason it's a story in the media is for the public to cry victim against the 'elite', so stop it and be informed.

Richard in Red Deer
Although I am not sure this is the proper way to have gone about it, consider the number of lives affected by one NHL player. The entire team & Coaching staff, their families, and the teams the play against, their coaching staff and families.

Name one person you know that has direct contact with that many people.

I think it is wise, but I think the high risk women and children should be given the same opportunities.

J.C.
...first off the pandemic is a bust, Australia has just completed it's flu season with 30%less people admitted to hospital with regular flue, around 1% confirmed casses of H1N1. Why, in the media do we hear nothing but doom & gloom, but no stats on the so-called pandemic? CDC have stats saying it is far less widespread then an average. Medical experts agree, Flue shots are inaffective for children and can cause serious efects on pregnant women.

Lorraine - Calgary
I have no problem with the Flames getting the H1N1 shot because I know they are not the only ones that did not have to stand in a line to get it.

Cat
The day the Flames got their shots is the same day my son (2 years old) and I (pregnant)were turned away from the high risk clinic because they weren't accepting any more people in the line-up. That was at 10:30am. I don't blame the Flames players (maybe some blame to Flames management). I blame the government and AB Health Services for agreeing to one-off clinics. And it makes me sad.

M
I know that companies can pay a nurse to come to there place of work and have the flu shot administered, maybe that is what the Flames did, so maybe all the people who are upset can dish out $25.00 to get the vaccine instead of getting it for free!I dont think its the Flames fault it is the government and how they regulated it.

Mike
I wonder how many season tickets the Flames exchanged with Alberta Health Services for HIN1 vaccines.

I bet they got really good seats too.

Liz
For everyone who was ardently trying to tell us that this vaccine was necessary and not just an attempt at a money grab for some companies (while blaming childrens' deaths on those of us who didn't get the vaccine), maybe this will help them see the light.

Still 100% glad I haven't (and won't) get this ridiculous vaccine.

Double Dose of Disgust in Calgary
A big round of applause and a huge standing ovation for the Flames for showing such guts, grace and gallantry toward all the high risk individuals who stood in line for hours and didn't get a shot. Nice elbow work, guys.....

Oh, and a big thanks to the Calgary Health Region for the quick 'n' dirty lesson on how valuable a million dollar hockey hero is, compared to police, fire, EMS and front line health workers.

This certainly was an eye-opener....

MONKEYMAN
THANKS TO THE GREEDY SHAMES I WON'T BE ABLE TO GET MY SHOT TILL DEC I HOPE I DON'T GET SICK CAUSE I'M HIGH RISK THE GREEDY FAMILIES DIDN'T NEED THE SHOTS EITHER THE SHAMES ARE LOSERS AND THEY WILL NEVER WIN THE CUP AGAIN.I HAVE A CALGARY FLAMES CAP I THINK I'LL BURN IT.

Donna
I applaud the forward thinking of the Doctors for the Flames. They were doing their job, taking care of the players and their families.
It is unfortunate that Alberta Health services was not on the ball when they approved this request and put others at risk in a long line up.

Banshee
Way to go LAMES!!!

I'm tired of everyone backing up the Lames on this in regards to them having to travel, remeber they hire chartered airplanes and don't have to fly with the public. Actually, I know the Oilers have a special area around the airport where they don't even have to go into the terminal to get on the plane and I assume the Lames have something similiar (not 100% though)?? I'm so tired of hearing the travelling comment to support them jumping the lines.

Sandy in Calgary
This is just too much. We are endangering the lives of people now for hockey players who have more money than brains. I am sick to death of this attitude to hockey. It is not our national sport. It is most assuredly not loved by all. Lots of people travel as part of their living. Do they all get preferential treatment too? Do these hockey players have no couth at all.

Murray
Those of you who blame the Flames or who want to boo them off the ice are not very well informed. They simply put in a request and it was granted by the AHS. It's the AHS that should be held responsible here. Let me ask a question, if your company put in a request and it was granted and a private program was held at your work, would you refuse the shot or would you take it? I think we all know the answer. Did the AHS approve the Flames request because of who they are, a professional hockey team? Of course they did, but again this does not make it the players fault.
Personally, I have more of a chance of dieing in an accident on my daily communte up and down Deerfoot than I do from the H1N1.

Christine
Re: Flames getting shots.
It was totally not fair to the general public that someone such as a hockey player should be given priority over them, in particular our very important medical and emergency personel. I myself am in a high risk category and am being patient waiting for the children and pregnant women to get theirs. I have an auto-immune disease which could be potentially life threatening if I was to get H1N1. I would never forgive myself if my 2 year old grandson got the flu and died because he didn't get the shot and I did. I hope the Flames take responsibility and do something to make amends. I find it is typical of the Alberta Medical system to not really care what happens to the general public. As long as their salaries and jobs are safe we do not count. The Alberta Medical Board should be held accountable for mistakes such as these. Christine Ford, a very dissatisfied Albertan.

Jack
Why all the hoopla about the Flames getting their H1N1 shots.
Edmonton is jealous as their team doctor did not have the savy like his counter part in Calgary.

LH
Why is this a big deal? Plus, this is not the teams fault, they asked Alberta Health Care who said yes, blame Alberta Health Care! And they aren't taking the shot away from someone else, they would have gotten it anyways because their team doctors required them to. People need to relax and find something worthwhile to get mad at, like the fact that our healthcare system is so inefficient there are these huge wait times. Focus on the real problem and don't get side-tracked by things that don't matter.

Penny
To those of you who think the explaination of them being around the public gives them and their families a right to have this shot before others. Use your head for 2 minutes! Consider this, my husband, a paramedic who is around this virus and other ones every day when at work. He then comes home. He hasn't gotten a shot, and no one offered a shot to us. All of us need to step up and stand in line. So why is a hockey player and his wife and kids more important then us? My husband is expected to save your lives....lets hope he doesn't get the flu and have to take 2 weeks off. Oh and the police officers that you want to come help when something goes wrong, they haven't had shots either. Hope your houses don't catch fire....guess who else hasn't had their shots. Where is the private clinic for our emegency workers and their families?