Frequently Asked Questions - Influenza Vaccine Shortage in the United States

Why are the two flu vaccines Canada uses not licensed in the US?

Manufacturers make the decision on where to apply for licenses for their products.

Does Canada have a surplus supply of the flu vaccine? Would it be shared with the US?

Currently, it's too early in the flu season to tell as provinces and territories are just beginning their flu vaccination programs. We do not know what the final needs will be. Provinces and territories are reviewing their needs and will be assessing their supplies as the flu season unfolds.

If it appears that Canadian needs are well met, if the licensing issues in the US are addressed, and there is a surplus supply, then the Government of Canada would be in a position to help. However, Canada's ability to provide assistance is limited by US licensing requirements and the requirements of public programs in Canada

Any surplus in the public supply from Canada would be very small in the context of the gap that the US has to address. Vaccine manufacturers would really be the first source of a surplus.

Why has Canada been spared a shortage?

Canada does not purchase its flu vaccine from Chiron Corporation so this shortage has no impact on the availability of the flu vaccine in Canada.

Could this happen in Canada?

The vaccine manufacturing process is very complex so it's difficult to predict what may happen in the future. However, federal, provincial and territorial governments have worked very hard to ensure a domestic influenza vaccine supply is in place in order to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

Is the Canadian supply secure? What if we run out?

Production of the required quantities under the contracts has already been completed for the 2004/2005 flu season. The quantity required is determined by a national vaccine supply working group that includes federal, provincial and territorial representatives based on the requirements from previous years and estimates for the upcoming season. While this supply should meet Canada's needs, the Canadian Immunization Committee, in consultation with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, provides a national forum for discussing vaccine supply and prioritisation so that, in the event that Canada had a shortage, a contingency plan could be developed.

How many doses of the flu vaccine does Canada have?

Canada has 10.9 million doses of the flu vaccine for publicly funded programs.

Don't we need more?

This number is based on what the provinces and territories have needed for previous flu seasons and projections for the upcoming season. Provinces and territories work with the Public Health Agency of Canada to estimate how much flu vaccine is needed every year. This is the amount that is used for public programs. Most of these programs target people who are at high risk of complications from the flu, except for Ontario where flu vaccines are offered to everyone free of charge.

Does this have any impact on the private vaccine supply in Canada?

Various organizations throughout the country run private flu vaccination clinics. These organizations have their own contracts with suppliers and the Public Health Agency of Canada is not involved in the administration of these private contracts

Can Americans come to Canada to get a flu shot?

Provinces and territories administer their own flu immunization programs and there are differences in terms of eligibility for publicly funded vaccines (e.g. universal vs high risk targeted programs). Publicly funded vaccines are intended for Canadian residents. Americans may be able to access private supplies (i.e. pharmacists, private flu vaccine clinics) in different jurisdictions but you would need to speak to the specific jurisdictions about that.

Where do ID Biomedical and Aventis manufacture their flu vaccines?

The Canadian supply comes from manufacturing facilities in Quebec (ID Biomedical) and France (Aventis).

Why can't the manufacturers just make more vaccines?

Vaccine manufacturing is a complex and time-consuming process. After a decision is made on what vaccine strains are needed, it takes months to cultivate the strains in fertilized eggs and then manufacture the vaccine. This process isn't complete until September.