Some Ontario residents might see it as bad news, but Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, the medical officer of health for Public Health for Sudbury and Districts, sees the shortage in the flu vaccine program as "a really good news story."
Sutcliffe was commenting on the fact that there is currently a shortage of flu vaccine doses in Ontario, but she said that doesn't mean fewer people are getting vaccinated.
"My understanding is that this is a question of increased interest and uptake this year, which is a really good news story. And possibly it's just a question of the timing of the delivery, but I don't know that for certain," said Sutcliffe on Tuesday.
The reality was spelled out Monday by Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott in response to a question from Nickel Belt MPP and opposition health critic France Gélinas, who wanted to know why some pharmacies in Northern Ontario had run out of the flu vaccine.
Elliott responded by revealing that Ontario residents have been coming out to get flu shots in unprecedented numbers.
"I can tell you that as of today (Monday, Nov.2), just at pharmacies, over one million doses have already been given to people. Whereas this time last year, it was 150,000, and we almost had to beg people to come in to get the flu vaccine. Over one million doses already. So this is a very successful flu campaign. As I said, I’m very grateful that the people of Ontario are coming forward to get their flu shot," Elliott said.
Gélinas responded that this doesn't help the people in her riding who are seeking to get their flu shot now.
Elliott said Ontario had set aside more than $28 million to purchase more flu vaccines and that a formal request has been made to acquire more doses from the federal government reserve supply.
"We are trying to procure some from that. We’re also dealing with those global manufacturers directly to procure more supplies from places around the world," said Elliott.
"Because people still want to get the flu shot, we are working to get those additional shots that people have indicated they want. But this is the biggest flu campaign Ontario has ever had in its history," Elliott said.
Sutcliffe said it appears to be a similar story for the jurisdiction of the Sudbury health unit, where the increase in demand has been significant.
"Yes absolutely. I think this is a good news story in terms of people seeking to protect themselves, and not just themselves, but obviously more vulnerable family members, older people in their families and people with chronic health conditions. I don't have the full tally so far, but we know that last year we distributed or administered about 45,000 doses," said Sutcliffe.
"This year so far that number is about 50,000, so another 5,000 more. And we know there is another 3,000 doses coming our way.” She said this could be used by the health unit or be distributed to local health care providers. Either way, citizens will have to make appointments and wait for new doses to arrive.
Sutcliffe said there is a priority system in place for all and new doses of the influenza vaccine. She said the demands of long-term care homes and other vulnerable populations come first before any new doses are sent out to health care providers or administered by the health unit.
Sutcliffe said she could understand the frustration of citizens who relied on pharmacies, but said she was not advised of the distribution system or priorities for sending more vaccines to pharmacies.
She added that she has heard that more doses will soon be distributed to public health agencies across the province, but admitted she doesn't know more than that.
"So I think what we have now is good news. There is more demand and good news that the province purchased more doses."
Sutcliffe also said the health unit is watching the situation closely because it doesn't want people being turned off by the idea of having to wait.
"Absolutely we are paying close attention to what we can do to try to improve or ensure people have access to this very important influenza vaccine. The best way to prevent it is to get your annual flu shot," she said.
She added that she is hopeful that the precautions and safety measures people are taking against the COVID-19 pandemic will pay off by also helping to reduce the spreading of influenza.
