THUNDER BAY – The first flu shots of the year have reached local arms, with demand for the vaccine expected to be higher than normal again this year.
Local health providers began offering the vaccine to high priority groups this week, a list that includes those over 65, nursing home and other supported living residents, those with underlying conditions, and health care workers.
Flu shots will be available to the general public in November, according to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU).
The agency said it’s expecting demand for the shot to be higher than usual for a second flu season. The neighbouring Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) is also preparing to administer more doses.
“We definitely saw higher uptake last year,” said Greg Tinsley, clinical coordinator at Janzen’s Pharmacy, which administers many of its flu shots in assisted living settings, along with some walk-ins.
Wastage of flu vaccine doses was below two per cent last year, a comparatively low figure, he said.
The early experience at the Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy on Red River Road, which began offering the shot to priority groups on Tuesday, seems to support those projections.
“We’ve seen higher than usual demand over the last several days,” said Maggie Willmore, a Shoppers Drug Mart associate, with more early interest even compared to last year.
She chalks the increase up to the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting it has boosted awareness of the importance of vaccines.
Primary care providers like the NorWest Community Health Centres are also preparing for higher demand for a second year.
It’s too early to project how bad this year’s flu season will be, said the TBDHU. Influenza rates fell locally in 2020/21, the agency said, consistent with record lows recorded across North America.
The health unit attributed the low rates to COVID-19 measures like masking and limited travel, along with higher uptake of the flu shot.
Many providers will offer the flu shot alongside the COVID-19 vaccines this year. Those who visit the TBDHU’s mass immunization clinic in Thunder Bay can get their flu shot at the same time.
Willmore hopes that will open the door for some who haven’t yet received the COVID vaccine to consider it.
“Anybody that has questions, it gives pharmacists a chance to have that conversation,” she said.
Last year, Ontario saw some supply challenges with the flu vaccine, with pharmacies sometimes facing gaps between deliveries.
Willmore anticipated those issues should be largely smoothed out this year. The NWHU similarly said there was no indication of supply challenges.
A high dose vaccine is available at pharmacies for those who are 65 years and older.
Health care providers can immunize anyone six months old and above, while children two and older can now be vaccinated at a pharmacy.
Planning is underway to hold flu shot clinics for infants from six to 23 months, the TBDHU said.
