There Isn’t A Flu Shot Shortage In Canada. Here’s What You Need To Know.
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hottest ticket item was toilet paper.
Now, eight months in? It’s the flu shot.
On the advice of public health officials, Canadians are flocking to their family doctors and local pharmacies looking to get immunized against seasonal influenza. The annual vaccine is more important than ever this year, as health officials warn we must work to prevent the dual health threat posed by COVID-19 and the seasonal flu.
Provincial governments have spent millions on this year’s influenza vaccine, ordering more doses than ever. But many Canadians l face long wait times or can’t schedule a flu shot at all.
That’s prompted concerns there might be a shortage of vaccine doses this year. But how legitimate of a worry is that? Here’s what you need to know.
I can’t book an appointment! Is there a shortage of flu shots?
No, there’s no expected shortage of influenza vaccines in Canada this year. Most provinces have actually procured more doses of the vaccine than ever before, but it’s just taking some time for all of them to arrive.
In a normal year, vaccination campaigns don’t usually start in earnest until late October or November anyways. The early rush of people to get vaccinated amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has exhausted some initial supplies, but more are coming.
RELATED
Getting A Flu Shot Might Not Be Easy This Year — But It's Worth It
Some Ontario Pharmacies Will Start COVID-19 Testing This Week
Canada Orders More Flu Vaccines To Prepare For Infection Double-header
“The vaccine is coming, we know we have lots of it, and it’s being distributed around the province,” B.C. chief medical officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Thursday. “If it takes a week or two for you to get an appointment with your pharmacist, or your physician, or at your public health clinic [that’s...
