Clinics postponed because of flu vaccine delays

PORTLAND – Some flu shot clinics are being postponed across northern New England because of delays in receiving the vaccines, but officials said it should be a short-term problem.

Some vaccine deliveries are being pushed back into December because of delays with suppliers, said Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine Bureau of Health. While the delays are causing some isolated shortages, they shouldn’t cause widespread shortages like the ones experienced last year, she said.

“People are definitely concerned about not getting flu vaccines right now,” Mills said. “But we’ve been able to identify there is vaccine around the state, but there are some spotty shortages.”

October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but people can still get their flu shots in December and later, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu season can begin as early as October and last until May.

The state of Maine has ordered 140,000 doses and received all but 30,000 of them, Mills said. They will go to health care providers around the state, who will give them to high-risk individuals.

CVS is among the places that have postponed flu clinics because of delayed shipments.

The drug store chain postponed hundreds of clinics that had been scheduled for last week and this week because shipments from vaccine producer Chiron Corp. were running late to CVS’ suppliers, said spokesman Mike DeAngelis. Clinics have been postponed at stores throughout the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, including Maine.

CVS plans to hold clinics at some 3,500 stores through November, DeAngelis said.