"...Oh my, ...flu vaccine crisis mostly solved - now what's ol' "..DONKEYFACE.." going to have to bitch about...?!?
2 million doses of flu vaccine could go to U.S. CTV.ca News Staff
Canada may have more than two million surplus doses of flu vaccine it could send to the United States, says Canada's public health officer.
But getting it to the U.S. depends on that country's Food and Drug Administration, David Butler-Jones told a teleconference on Monday.
"All of this gets back to the FDA's ability to move things forward. It's not a quick fix, nor is any additional vaccine production likely to be a quick fix, around the world," he said.
Last Thursday, U.S. Health Secretary Tommy Thompson rejected the notion of importing vaccine, saying it was unlikely that a vaccine unlicensed for use in the U.S. would make it through the regulatory process in time for this year's flu season.
However, U.S. authorities admitted late Friday they were looking worldwide for surplus vaccine.
The U.S. is short 46 to 48 million doses of flu vaccine or about half its normal supply because Chiron, an American-based vaccine manufacturer, had its licence suspended by British authorities after contamination problems at its Liverpool facility were reported.
Federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh said earlier Monday that Canada has a surplus of flu vaccine that could be provided to the United States.
"If there is anything we can spare for our American neighbours and friends in a way that doesn't jeopardize the safety and supply for Canadians, we would do so."
The federal Public Works department bought 10 million doses of flu vaccine, the vast majority of which goes to the provinces and territories.
ID Biomedical and Aventis Pasteur believe they may have sold another 1.5 million doses into the Canadian private market, which consists mainly of drug stores and doctors' offices.
While ID Biomedical said it could sell the U.S. 1.2 million doses, it is prevented from doing so by the licencing issue.
Lineups in the U.S.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control is urging doctors to give the vaccine only to those who really need it. The government is warning of fines and even jail times for doctors and nurses who don't comply.
Long line-ups of seniors have been spotted at U.S. flu clinics.
Thompson said Monday that there will be enough flu vaccine available for those who really need it.
He told seniors to stop queuing for it.
"We want people to relax,'' Thompson said at a news conference in Tampa. "The flu season is not here.''
Back in Canada, the final decision on sharing publicly purchased vaccine will be up to the provinces and territories.
George Smitherman, Ontario's health minister, said Americans won't be able to get the vaccine for free.
Ontario residents attending the province's flu shot clinic will have to bring photo ID to prove they are residents.
Dr. Perry Kendall, B.C.'s chief medical health officer, doesn't think there will be a surplus because provinces have extended their flu vaccination programs to include children six to 23 months plus their caregivers.
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