Good luck getting a flu shot

VERNON – Most Vernon and area pharmacies have been cleaned out of flu vaccines and are turning people away.

As the H1N1 virus spread from Alberta to B.C. over the past couple weeks, pharmacies were inundated with customers seeking immunization. With the death of an Okanagan woman who contracted H1N1, demand has only increased.

Supply at the pharmacy in Armstrong ran dry this past week, and staff don’t know when, or if, they’ll be getting another shipment. It's a similar story in Vernon where Nolan’s Pharmasave and London Drugs also ran out this week.

By 4 p.m. Tuesday, Rexall still had flu shots available, but stock was dwindling fast. Walmart also has a limited and quickly vanishing supply, further complicated by staff shortages. Your best chances are to go before 8 a.m. (the pharmacy opens at 7 a.m.) or after 7 p.m.

You can also head to the Vernon Health Unit’s drop-in clinic on Thursday. Adults and teenagers are welcome between 9 and 11:30 a.m. Families with young children will be served between 2-4 p.m.

Based on the number of people they are turning away, pharmacies warn you to expect long lines at Thursday’s flu clinic.

You can also try to make an appointment for a shot by contacting Vernon Public Health at 250-549-5721.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca, call 250-309-5230 or tweet @charhelston.