Extra flu vaccine ordered by B.C. this season

B.C. has ordered extra doses of the flu vaccine this year, after demand outstripped supply in some regions last year.

The province has ordered 1.47 million doses of the vaccine, about 60,000 more than last year, according to Alicia Bertrand, a spokesperson with the Ministry of Health.

Bertrand says while the province never ran out of vaccine last year, there were some local shortages that required health officials to transfer stocks around the province.

Doctor Meena Dawar with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, says the supply has already started to arrive, but it will likely be sometime in October before the vaccine is actually distributed to family doctors and pharmacists.

"We're just starting to receive some vaccine. Vaccine comes in a lot of batches, so we have to have enough of it built up to distribute it to all immunizers," said Dawar.

"When each batch of vaccine arrives, it has to be checked to make sure it was transported safely and the vaccine is still safe."

This year's vaccine will cover three main strains of the virus including H1N1, much like last year.

Local drug stores and pharmacies are sending out notices the vaccine is on its way, but the official launch of the flu shot campaign is the first week in November.