Good thing Canada doesn't have a two-tier health system

"Patients at private medical clinics in at least two provinces have jumped the queue for H1N1 vaccine during a nationwide shortage of the flu shot, rekindling a debate about the perils of two-tier health care in Canada.

"Copeman Healthcare, a private clinic in Vancouver that charges patients annual membership fees of $3,900 in the first year, has already received its first shipment of H1N1 vaccine and is hoping for more soon, said chief operating officer Chris Nedelmann.

"Medcan, a clinic in downtown Toronto that charges just under $2,000 for a head-to-toe checkup, received 3,000 doses last Friday, enough for 8 per cent of its patients.

"Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews is vowing to launch a review of Toronto Public Health's decision to give Medcan access to a vaccine in short supply at a time when officials across the country are scrambling to rein in a pandemic that is taking a growing toll on Canadians."

More here.