It will take longer than previously thought – well into December – to vaccinate many B.C. residents against swine flu.

A delay in the production of the H1N1 flu vaccine by manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline is slowing its arrival here.

B.C. now expects to have only 850,000 doses by the end of next week, down from the original expectation of 1.35 million doses delivered by then.

The half-million dose shortfall means a slower pace for rolling out the vaccine, but provincial officials stress B.C. still has four million doses on order, enough to supply everyone who wants to be inoculated.

“We acknowledge that there may be concern among the public that the H1N1 vaccine is not getting to B.C. and other provinces as quickly as it should,” provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall.

“But I am confident that the federal government and GlaxoSmithKline are doing their best to ensure that the vaccine is manufactured and distributed as quickly as possible."

Officials are now promising everyone who wants the vaccine will be able to get it by the end of the year.

Healthy people not in a high-priority group had originally been told to wait until mid-November, but the best estimate now is that vaccinations won't open up to all until at least Nov. 23.

“Members of the general population who don’t fall into the high-risk categories identified in the phased implementation approach will be able to receive the H1N1 vaccine as soon as supply is sufficient,” said Dr. Monika Naus of the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

“We ask that healthy individuals allow those who need the vaccine most at this time to get it first."

Naus rejected suggestions the vaccinations for non-priority groups will end up being too late if the H1N1 pandemic peaks sooner.

"We think the virus is going to be around us for quite a long time, certainly into the new year," Naus said. "We still think it's worthwhile getting immunized."

H1N1 vaccinations began this week for high-risk people – pregnant women and those under 65 with underlying chronic health conditions considered in greatest danger of severe illness if infected.

Next week inoculations open up to health care workers, children aged six months to five years and household contacts of babies under six months of age and of immunocompromised people.

While immunizations for those in the second priority group will begin on schedule, officials now say there's no chance they'll all get the vaccine by the end of next week.

As a result, health care workers will be prioritized to first cover those deemed to require it most for critical health services – particularly those working in emergency rooms and intensive care units.

As supplies increase, remaining health care workers will be able to get the vaccine.

It's also expected to take two to three weeks now to vaccinate children under five.

Health authorities running seasonal flu vaccination clinics for seniors will temporarily suspend them to focus on delivering H1N1 vaccine to those most at risk. Seniors flu clinics are to resume later in November, but officials say the delay isn't expected to increase the rate of seasonal flu among seniors.

Naus emphasized continued hand washing and proper hygiene to combat against the spread of infection.

The delay comes amid soaring flu activity.

Some Lower Mainland clinics ran out of vaccine earlier in the week as it became apparent the tight supply was causing problems.

Public health officials were also questioned about why Olympic torch relay participants got priority vaccinations.

Naus said it was a local decision, but noted the torch bearers and support team are traveling to many remote communities around the province.

"We don't want them to become sick and start spreading disease around the country."

B.C. H1N1 VACCINE SUPPLY

- 500,000 doses received so far

- 350,000 more expected next week

- 25,000 unadjuvanted doses for pregnant women coming late next week

- 4 million doses expected to eventually arrive

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