For Vancouverites planning to get a flu shot, now would be the time as some pharmacies are turning customers away due to a lack of doses.
The Courier has heard from a number of people not able to get a flu shot, including intern Jennifer Thuncher who went to the busy Burnaby Costco for a shot only to be told the store pharmacy was no longer providing the vaccine.
Dr. Meena Dawar, medical health officer with Vancouver Coastal Health, said it would be wrong, however, to describe the situation as a shortage. About 25,000 units of the vaccine are available in the region, she said.
“They’ve distributed 390,000 doses so far, which is similar to last year,” said Dawar. “There has been a huge demand, which is great. But many pharmacies are getting to the end of their initial orders. They’ve had them filled and refilled and are now getting to the last bit of vaccine.”
Dawar said in many cases pharmacies are no longer offering walk-in services but instead are requesting those wanting a flu shot to make an appointment.
She added it might be perceived as a shortage of vaccine because the number of pharmacies offering flu shots in the Vancouver Coastal Health region has doubled from 100 to about 200 since last year so the supply is more spread out.
“And some of the newer pharmacies might not have placed their orders early enough to complete the formal training that goes with it,” said Dawar.
“In that case they might not have had the time to re-order.”
Dawar said the fact this year some pharmacies were offering round-the-clock, drop-in immunization services made it convenient for the public to receive a flu shot.
“There has been lots of accessibility this year,” said Dawar. “And from our perspective that’s great.”
She added in some cases pharmacies didn’t plan for the large numbers they saw and simply didn’t order enough of the vaccine.
“Now, as it’s getting to the last of the supply, the number they can re-order has been capped at 100 per week,” said Dawar. “So a pharmacy that was out of the vaccine last week might have it this week.”
Vancouver Coastal Health is encouraging family members and friends of loved ones in the hospital or a care home to get a flu shot through a new policy that came into effect this week.
As of Monday, anyone visiting a hospital or care home will have the choice of either having a flu shot or wearing a mask. Dawar said the policy is based on the honour system, but she believes family members and friends of loved ones with high-risk health problems will gladly comply.
“There will be large posters at the entrance to these facilities offering information,” said Dawar. “I really think they’ll embrace the spirit of the policy.”
She’s happy with the numbers of region residents who received flu shots this year and with the way many pharmacies got on board by offering the vaccine.
“Pharmacists have only been offering vaccines since 2009, but they’ve increased access in a big way,” said Dawar. “I am truly happy about that.”
