Far fewer West Shore residents are showing up for H1N1 flu immunization shots than expected as the health authority tries to vaccinate the population at highest risk.

About 2,220 people in total were vaccinated at Westshore Town Centre last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, although the clinic had expected up to 2,500 per day.

“The numbers are relatively small,” said Sandra Herbison, the public health unit manger for the Vancouver Island Health Authority. “People aren’t showing up in numbers we are prepared for.”

That might be just as well, as the delivered number of vaccinations has fallen by almost half as manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline struggles to meet demand. British Columbia expects to have 850,000 doses by the end of this week, down from the original expectation of 1.35 million doses.

“It’s possible the public campaign will be delayed a bit,” Herbison said. “It’s just a matter a time. We will immunize all that need it (by the end of December).”

For upcoming weeks, the Westshore Town Centre clinic will continue to focus on immunizing high-risk groups, which includes people younger than 65 with chronic health conditions such as asthma or diabetes, pregnant women and people who live in isolated communities.

Also on the list are children between six months and five years old, certain health-care workers and care providers of infants and people with weak immune systems.

Herbison said nurses at the clinic will stick closely to the criteria and will ask people more questions, but they still depend on the honour system.

“You don’t have to prove you are immuno-compromised or have chronic health problems,” Herbison said. “But we hope people are respectful of the process and let those who need a shot get it first.”

Shannon Marshall with VIHA communications, admitted they aren’t sure if there is enough vaccine for those in the high-risk group.

“We are certainly hoping so,” she said. “More vaccines are expected mid-week. We are asking people to be patient to ensure the high-risk people go first.”

Last week people were lined up across the parking lot at Westshore Town Centre, some waiting for hours. Herbison stressed that showing up early isn’t necessary — the clinics work on a ticketing system. People are issued tickets indicating the hour in the day they can expect to get their shot.

“There is no advantage to line up prior to the clinic opening. People don’t need to stand in line for hours,” Herbison said. “People get their ticket. It’s the closest thing we can do to provide an appointment.”

Clinics at the mall are offered sporadically through November and December at various times during the day. Herbison said VIHA is trying to accommodate work and school schedules.

At the clinic’s opening day last Thursday, Mark and Susan Fisher of Metchosin said the H1N1 shot is a worthwhile precaution.

“I don’t want to get the flu. My immune system is down,” Mark said. “It’s just a precaution. I really don’t want to get sick,” agreed Susan.

Health authorities are encouraging everyone to get an H1N1 shot to protect themselves and others — especially those with existing health problems — from the spread of the flu. H1N1 is infecting younger, healthier people more, simply because they don’t have an immunity to the virus, Herbison said.

“H1N1 affects the relatively healthy part of the population,” she said. “This is a way to help people prevent unnecessary illness. And it can be a serious flu bug. Severe illnesses and deaths are occurring.”

As of last week, VIHA vaccinated about 10,000 people at 285 clinics across the Island, but officials say there have been cases where people in lower-risk groups are jumping the line.

“We are very pleased with the uptake. (Some of ) the clinics are very busy,” Marshall said. “But we are asking people to respect the needs of high-risk groups. We are experiencing challenges with the number of people showing up.”

—with files from Jeff Nagle/Black Press.

H1N1 influenza immunization clinics

Westshore Town Centre, 2945 Jacklin Rd. (currently for high risk patients. See www.viha.ca/h1n1 for criteria):

Nov. 6, 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 7, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 13, 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 19, 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 20, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 24, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 28, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dec. 4, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 11, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 17, 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 18, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 19, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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