Osoyoos Times Reporter Richard McGuire gets a flu vaccination in this file photo from a previous flu season. He plans to get one again this week. (File photo)
Interior Health is advising people at risk to get a flu vaccination this year, but some people in Osoyoos are finding they need to be on a waiting list.
Shoppers Drug Mart ran out of vaccine last week, but another shipment was received on Friday, said Steven Hopp, associate owner of the Osoyoos store.
The vaccine is available through health clinics, pharmacies and doctors.
Several public health clinics are planned for later this month for those qualifying for free vaccinations while private clinics provide the vaccine for a fee.
“I think public demand has been a big reason why we’ve had a hard time keeping it in stock,” said Hopp.
This year’s vaccine provides protection from influenza strains that are expected to be circulating this season, Interior Health says in a news release.
The vaccine contains three different flu strains including H1N1, which was the predominant strain last year.
Hopp said there has been much more demand this year than in either of the last two years at his store.
In September, Canada’s largest flu vaccine supplier, GSK, announced it would not be able to fill about 30 per cent of its Canadian order for this season. This left various levels of government scrambling to find other sources of supply.
Hopp noted, however, that one of the problems both for vaccine manufacturers and stores is that it’s difficult to predict public demand. Because a vaccine is only good for the current season, companies don’t want to produce too much and stores don’t want to get stuck with extra inventory.
The flu vaccine is available free in B.C. to people in a number of risk groups. Those not in a risk group can pay just over $20 to purchase the vaccine.
Hopp said his store currently doesn’t have a waiting list for people wishing to purchase the vaccine although supplies are still limited.
While some people qualifying for free vaccine choose to purchase it rather than to wait – for example if they are about to travel – most people who qualify to receive it free choose to wait, he said.
Shoppers Drug Mart in Osoyoos is currently calling in people on the waiting list for free vaccines to vaccinate them with the recently received vaccines and new people are being added to the waiting list.
The Osoyoos Times attempted to verify the supply situation at Pharmasave, but no one was available to discuss it in time for this week’s press deadline.
Influenza is a significant illness that, at minimum, can make people quite sick for several days, Interior Health says. People with influenza can spread the virus to others who are at greater risk.
For those with heart, lung and other health problems, influenza can cause severe complications and even death.
Every year about 3,500 people in Canada die from influenza complications, according to Public Health Agency of Canada estimates.
“Influenza reduces the body’s ability to fight illnesses and infections and it can also increase a person’s risk for developing other serious conditions, including viral or bacterial pneumonia,” said Dr. Rob Parker, medical health officer with Interior Health. “Getting a flu shot and washing your hands frequently are the two most effective ways to protect yourself and others from getting influenza.”
Some people confuse influenza with less severe viruses that cause common colds or stomach flu. While there are no vaccines for these milder viruses, the influenza vaccine provides protection from the more serious strains expected to circulate this season.
Hopp acknowledges that for some people the vaccine is controversial, but public health authorities advise that it is safe and effective. Hopp said he gets vaccinated each year.
The vaccine is free for those as risk of complications from influenza and those in contact with people at risk.
Among those qualifying for free vaccine are people aged 65 and older and their caregivers; people in residential care facilities; those with chronic health conditions; Aboriginal people; children and adults who are morbidly obese; infants aged six months to 59 months; pregnant women; first responders; health care providers; people working with live poultry among others.
There is a drop-in public clinic offering free shots to those qualifying on Thursday, Nov. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Osoyoos Seniors Centre.
The Osoyoos Health Centre at 4816 89th Street is offering a public clinic by appointment on Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. followed by another one on Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For information, call 250-495-6433.
For additional information about flu vaccinations, visit www.interiorhealth.ca.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
