NOTICE REGARDING INFLUENZA VACCINE SUPPLY:

As of November 6th, influenza vaccine supplies are very low in all of the Upper Canada Family Health Team sites. We anticipate our next shipment to arrive sometime next week. In the meantime, we recommend that people consider visiting their pharmacy for the regular influenza vaccine.

As you may be aware, there have been production issues with some of the manufacturers of the influenza vaccine. As a result of the manufacturer issues there are delays in the delivery schedule of the high-dose vaccine to the province.

While, the high-dose influenza vaccine is being promoted for people 65 years and older, the most important thing is for people to get the influenza vaccine that is available in their location. The National Advisory Committee on Immunizations has stated that there is no preferential recommendation between the high-dose influenza vaccine and the standard quadrivalent vaccine – both vaccines are effective.

Please note that due to a global shortage, the nasal spray influenza vaccine for children (Flumist) is unavailable this year. We recommend children get vaccinated with the regular influenza vaccine instead.

For more information on the influenza vaccine please visit www.ontario.ca/page/flu-facts