Tuesday, December 14th, 2004
U.S. Filling Flu Shot Void (Source: CBS News)
From the article:
Federal officials said Tuesday that flu vaccine manufactured in Germany was safe enough to be used in the United States and that as many as 4 million doses would be available to alleviate the U.S. shortage.
Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said the government was immediately buying 1.2 million doses of the vaccine, called Fluarix, which will be available this month, and said British manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline had agreed to make about 3 million more doses available later.
"It will allow us to get more vaccine into the hands of those who need it most," Thompson said.
Thursday, December 9th, 2004
U.S. Sourcing Flu Shot from Germany, Not Canada (Source: CTV)
From the article:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has announced plans to import an extra four million doses of flu vaccine, but they won’t be coming from Canada.
Just hours ahead of Thompson’s announcement, Canada’s main flu vaccine supplier announced it wouldn’t be sending its extra doses south.
Vancouver-based ID Biomedical had been in negotiations to sell 1.2 million doses to the U.S., but announced it has decided to sell its surplus in Canada this year. The company said the decision was made in response to a request from Ottawa.
"The Canadian Government is our most important client," ID Biomedical chief operating officer Staph Bakali said in a statement.
"ID Biomedical is a Canadian-based company and although our longer term strategy includes a significant presence in the U.S. market, we are pleased to supply these additional doses to Canada this year."
Thursday, December 9th, 2004
Flu Toll Figures Highlight Need for Vaccination of Children (Source: The Globe and Mail)
From the article:
At least 500 Canadian children were put in hospital after falling seriously ill with influenza last year, and three of them died, according to newly published data.
The data, which were collected at only nine pediatric hospitals, graphically demonstrate the toll that the flu is taking on children and underscore why it is recommended that all children over the age of six months should receive the flu vaccine…
"Influenza causes significant illness in healthy young children… We need better strategies to improve the immunization of children."
In September, the Canadian Pediatric Society recommended that influenza should be added to the list of routine childhood vaccinations. And in November, the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, a blue-ribbon panel of scientists, made the same recommendation, backed up by the statement that the rate at which infants must be put in hospital for treatment of influenza is roughly equal to the rate among adults over the age of 65.
Wednesday, December 8th, 2004
U.S. to Get 1 Million Flu Vaccine Doses from Canadian Plant (Source: CBC News)
From the article:
The U.S. government is expected to announce Tuesday the purchase of up to five million doses of flu vaccine from Canadian and German plants to deal with their shortages.
Canadian flu shot manufacturer ID Biomedical will provide over a million doses. British drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline is expected to provide another four million doses from its German plant.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccines after inspecting the facilities where they were made.
Aggie Adamczyk, a spokeswoman with the Public Health Agency of Canada, said demand in Canada for the flu vaccine has "levelled off" and that officials have secured enough supply to meet the current demand.
Monday, December 6th, 2004
Flu Shot Provider:
Dr. Ray Boily - Port Health Clinic
Address:
600 Ontario St., St. Catharines, Ontario
Phone:
905-934-1666
Price:
$40.00 US
Hours:
Weekdays 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Other:
There is no appointment necessary and little wait.
Walk-ins are accepted without appointments if it’s just for the flu shot.
Special arrangements can be made for anytime for large groups.
Wednesday, December 1st, 2004
U.S. Reporters Get Flu Shots in Canada (Source: CNEWS)
From the article:
It wasn’t just news that American reporters were clamouring for during George W. Bush’s visit to Canada on Tuesday.
Some White House scribes visited a downtown medical clinic to get a quick $20 flu shot. Flu vaccine is plentiful in Canada despite a severe shortage south of the border.
Friday, November 26th, 2004
Flu Shot Provider:
Health Smart Drug Store
Address:
815 Erie St., Windsor, Ontario
Phone:
519-253-5317
Price:
$50.00 US
Hours:
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Other:
Flu shots will be administered with no restrictions by registered nurses.
1,000 flu vaccinations will be available.
By appointment only. Please call the above number to arrange for an appointment.
Wednesday, November 24th, 2004
Flu Shots Available in Windsor (Source: The Detroit News)
From the article:
A drugstore in Windsor has obtained 1,000 flu vaccinations from a private Canadian source and plans to sell them to Americans for $50 a shot starting Saturday.
Health Smart Drug Store owner Doug Cozad said he is selling the vaccines to help Americans who are dealing with the severe flu shortage in which only the sick, elderly, young and pregnant are allowed to be vaccinated.
"I still have a lot of friends and family there (in the U.S.) and have a huge amount of empathy for what’s happening," Cozad said. "I had been looking for vaccine and got a call from this supplier where there simply is less demand."
Editor’s Note:
The article also provides information about flu vaccinations for seniors, children, pregnant women and the chronically ill at Metro Detroit public health clinics.
Friday, November 19th, 2004
Canadian Flu Vaccine Investigation (Source: KLAS)
From the article:
State authorities are investigating a valley medical clinic that may have distributed an illegal Canadian flu vaccine. In a flu season where flu shots were supposed to be so scarce, it was surprising for some to see the signs outside of the Nevada Institute for Wellness.
A clinic employee said the vaccines came from a Canadian manufacturer — one that has not received FDA approval. The Nevada Board of Osteopathic Medicine is investigating if the doctors at the clinic did anything wrong.
It will be up to the FDA to determine if the vaccine was illegally imported. But they said their policy forbids them from discussing an active investigation.
Thursday, November 18th, 2004
State Narrows Flu-shot Eligibility (Source: Providence Journal)
From the article:
The state Health Department has developed new guidelines for flu-vaccine distribution… but there will probably not be enough vaccine even for everyone in this smaller group, said Robert J. Marshall Jr., assistant director of health.
Gregory Solas, 52, said he is heading to Canada this weekend to get a flu shot at a walk-in clinic near Niagara Falls. He said the shot will cost him $40, and will be worth the seven-hour drive.
Solas, who uses a wheelchair and has diabetes, said he is very susceptible to infection. Although he probably qualifies for a flu shot even under the narrower guidelines, he’s not taking any chances.
Marshall said he had heard one or two reports of others making such trips to Canada, and the Health Department is not advising for or against them. "People have to look at their opportunities and make their choices," he said.