Alberta mulls buying private flu vaccine stock from pharmacies

The provincial governmentis still considering buying the flu vaccine from pharmacies that are selling their own supply.

But it says there is reallynot enough out there to make much of a difference. However, theissue has sparked a provincewide debate.

• London Drugs offers private stock of flu shot for a price
• More than 1,500 Albertans affected by flu this season
• London Drugs selling flu vaccine under provincial review

Many lining up for hours for a shrinking supply of the vaccine say they would prefer to just spend moneyfor a quick shot.

"Where can I go? I'll pay right now," saidCharles Hamel, who was among those in line.

He says every pharmacy he has been tois out of stock.

"I don't mind the two-tier [system] as long as I am in the good tier," he said.

NDPLeader Brian Mason says that is not the way Canada's health-care system works.

He is criticizing pharmacies for providing their private stock at a cost.

But University of Calgary bioethicist Ian Mitchell doesn't see a problem.

"If they are allowed to purchaseit, I'm not sure why we would prevent them from selling it," he said.

Liberal health critic David Swann, who is also a doctor,agrees.

He sayspassing along the company's costs are only fair especially since the vaccine has been available since Octoberand everyone had an opportunity to access it.

"I will certainly be asking questions if there are increasing numbers of our most vulnerable populations that are not protected," he said.

More than amillion Albertans have now received this year's vaccine.