Flu vaccine slowed by delays in production
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It could take longer than previously thought 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.
More details are expected on adjustments to the province’s plan for rolling out the vaccine on Friday.
H1N1 vaccinations began this week for high-risk people – pregnant women and those with underlying medical conditions considered in greatest danger of severe illness if infected.
It is to be opened up to children and caregivers of other high-risk patients next week and the original expectation was the vaccine would be available to everyone by mid-November.
It’s no longer clear when that will happen now, or how long it will take for everyone who wants the vaccine to get it.
The delay comes amid soaring flu activity and concern that H1N1 infections may peak before many people can benefit from the vaccine.
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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