HALIFAX – Nova Scotia government officials say the amount of flu vaccine ordered for the upcoming season will be enough to meet demand.
Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief public health officer, said 470,000 doses of the influenza vaccine have been ordered.
“It’s more than we’ve ever ordered in the past,” he said, citing an expected increased demand due to pharmacists being able to give the vaccine.
Strang said the order is enough for 40 to 45 per cent of the population.
Last year, many pharmacists in the Halifax area ran out of the vaccine; Strang said he does not expect that to happen this year.
“There’s no shortage or any problem with our flu vaccine supply. We have to distribute and allocate flu vaccines among a large number of providers, such as family doctors and pharmacists,” Strang said.
“There’s always a possibility that individual providers will not necessarily have the amount of vaccine they need or want in the timing they need it. But in terms of overall shortage and people not having access anywhere to get the flu vaccine, I’m not anticipating any problems.”
Strang said flu season tends to start around the Christmas season.
The flu shot is free for residents and is advised for children, seniors and anyone with a chronic disease.
The vaccine will be available starting next week through family doctors and pharmacists.
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