‘Got to be on the ball’: BC pharmacies busy on day one of flu vaccine rollout

Pharmacists across BC are being inundated with eager people to get their flu vaccine on the first day of the appointments offered.

Anoop Khurana, a pharmacist and owner of two Shoppers Drug Marts in the Vancouver area, says he administered more than 100 doses just on the first day the vaccine was available.

“The word got through that you’re getting vaccinated earlier this year,” he says. “So people are definitely rolling up their sleeves early, knowing that it takes at least two weeks to achieve full immunity.”

This year, for the first time, British Columbians will be notified via the “Get Vaccinated” text message service, which is also used for the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. BC residents who have not registered through the online portal are encouraged to do so.

Khurana Pharmacy is timing the appointments to allow people the opportunity to receive both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.

“If they booked a COVID vaccine booster and want to get the flu [vaccine], we have scheduled time to provide both vaccines. That’s what we’re really concentrating on now. Because, you know, it’s convenient to get both at the same time, rather than vacillating if that’s what you want,” he said.

Most people get a vaccine in each arm, he adds.

According to Khurana, there is a high demand for the post-COVID-19 flu vaccine this year.

“Typically the numbers are higher earlier in the flu campaign and then go down a bit, which is actually the ideal situation because you want to be protected early on to reduce community spread.”

The Town Center Pharmacy in Coquitlam is booked up with people wanting to get the flu shot.

Pharmacist Dennis Taruc says they get a lot of calls from people who don’t know how to book their shots.

“So we kind of have to do it for them, which means a lot of work for us,” says Taruc. “It was meant for them to do it themselves, but then people don’t know how to do it themselves … the general public.”

Taruc told Glacier Media he didn’t overbook; on opening day he administered about 50 vaccines.

“I just hope people understand that we can’t accommodate everyone right now. It’s only day two of flu season and people want it on day one. But that’s not physically possible,” he says.

He is also confronted with walk-ins and has to refuse them.

“Some people get two vaccines at once, which means more work,” he says. “We manage. We have to be on the ball.”

How big is the stock of flu vaccines?

All British Columbia residents six months and older can get their influenza vaccine for free this year.

BC is distributing more than 1.8 million doses for this year’s flu season, including more than 660,000 doses of improved flu vaccines for seniors.

For Taruc, he’s not worried about supplies since he hasn’t overbooked his pharmacy; However, he has heard from other pharmacies that this was the case.

Khurana agrees that supply depends on the individual pharmacy.

“It’s being ousted from the government right now to make sure it’s evenly distributed across all types of vaccination centres. And then … there will be multiple shipments, and eventually as individual sites run out, they have the opportunity to back-order more if they get a higher take,” says Khurana.

Projection for this year’s flu season

Health officials are calling for an earlier and more severe flu season.

In a statement this week, the Department of Health says there have been low rates of influenza over the past two years due to public health restrictions and reduced travel and socialization.

“This could be a really bad flu season in Canada this year based on Australia’s high flu levels and Canada is typically mimicking what’s happening in Australia,” says Khurana. “So it seems like many in the community are realizing the importance of being protected this fall by getting their flu vaccine and also the COVID vaccine or booster shot at the same time.

He adds that it’s also important for young and healthy people to consider getting a flu shot.

“Anyone can get the flu, and because every year, even if you’ve had flu shots in the past, there are different strains circulating in the community,” he says.

How to Register for Your Flu Vaccine in BC

Instead of booking a vaccine through your local pharmacy, you can book your vaccines online. Visit the Get Vaccinated website to register.

There is an option to call the provincial call center at 1-833-838-2323.

Alternatively, you could try your luck and go to a pharmacy.