Flu vaccine shipment delays not expected to impact Sask.
Nationwide flu vaccine shipment delays are not expected to hinder Saskatchewan residents from getting their flu shots starting Oct. 21 as expected, according to the Ministry of Health.
Saskatchewan’s chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said shipments of the vaccine to the province have been delayed by two to three weeks, but that this is not likely to impact residents looking to get their flu shots.
“There was some concerns being expressed about if the influenza vaccine would be late this year, so we just want to reassure everyone in Saskatchewan that we’ve been monitoring the supply situation closely,” said Shahab.
“As of today, we are ready to start the clinics on time on Oct. 21.”
Each year the World Health Organization gathers in February to pick which flu strains should be included in vaccines for the northern and southern hemispheres. This year the strains were not finalized until March, which Shahab said is part of the reason shipments have been delayed.
The province has ordered 390,000 doses of the vaccine — up from 368,000 doses in 2018 — because of the number of people interested in getting the shot last year.
Typically vaccine shipments are sent out to clinics and pharmacies in September, but because of the delay, will only start to make their way over the next couple of weeks. More than 50 per cent of the ordered doses will be in the hands of clinics and pharmacies by the program’s start date, said Shahab, and more than 90 per cent by the end of the month.
“Based on our best estimate at this point, there should be no shortage in terms of starting the flu vaccine on time and continuing over the three to four weeks when most people decide to get the flu shot,” he said.
While flu season varies from year to year, Shahab said the average flu season begins in early to mid-december and peaks in late December or early January. However, in past years it has begun as early as November or as late as February.
The effectiveness of the flu shot also varies from year to year, depending on how closely the circulating flu bug matches one of the four strains included in the vaccine.
Shahab recommended the flu shot for everyone six months and older, but specifically for young children, pregnant women and anyone with an underlying health condition. These people are more likely to have complications or require hospitalization if they contract the flu.
For more information or to find a list of locations where the vaccine is offered, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/flu.