While the number of lab-confirmed flu cases in Alberta continues to climb, health officials said a number of clinics and pharmacies in the province are facing a shortage of flu vaccine doses.
In the last few days, a number of mass immunization clinics in the Edmonton area have seen a sharp increase in the number of people seeking the flu vaccine – contributing to the province’s record numbers.
On Tuesday, a clinic in St. Albert ran out of the vaccine in needle form – leaving only the nasal spray option available.
In the meantime, supplies at city pharmacies are also dwindling.
The province confirmed Monday evening that a major shipment of the vaccine destined for Europe was diverted solely to Alberta mass immunization clinics.
“They haven’t given us much specifics, I think that they are at a loss as well,” Pharmacy technician Megan Johnson said Tuesday. “One thing I heard was that they diverted a shipment going to Italy, and that was why there was still some in the city.”
Despite the record number of vaccinations during this flu season, uptake for the shot continues to be low.
One public health expert with the University of Alberta said the message might be the issue.
“I think public health agencies don’t do a good job about addressing the confusing information for people to make sense of it,” Cindy Jardine said in a phone interview with CTV News. “They seem to stick to the same one message ‘Vaccines are good, vaccines are safe’.”
Premier Alison Redford commented on the current situation in the province, and called for calm.
“The vaccine has been available since October, and everyone who has wanted to get it has been able to get it until now,” Redford said in Calgary Tuesday.
The nasal spray is available to Albertans aged 2 to 59-years-old, with no health complications, and women who are not pregnant.
On Tuesday, health officials said that as of Monday there were 1335 lab-confirmed flu cases in Alberta, with 1189 of those confirmed to be H1N1 – in Edmonton, 503 cases of the flu had been confirmed, with 455 cases of H1N1.
Alberta Health also said nine deaths had occurred as a result of the flu – after an official said 10 people had died; on Tuesday officials said that number was approximate.
With files from Serena Mah