By Doug Fletcher,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – One city hospital is canceling three public flu shot clinics that had been planned for this week and next.

A spokesman for St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center said Tuesday that the clinics were being put off for dates yet to be announced because the hospital hasn’t been able to get promised vaccine.

Central Maine Medical Center has plenty of vaccine, said spokesman Randy Dustin. CMMC will be holding a public flu clinic during its Family Health Expo from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Auburn Mall.

St. Mary’s, however, said it is postponing flu shot clinics it had planned for Thursday, for Saturday and for Thursday, Nov. 3.

“We have yet to receive the greater part of our flu vaccine,” said St. Mary’s marketing director Russ Donahue, “and we have not been able to identify any other sources of vaccine.”

Donahue said St. Mary’s isn’t alone in this situation. “We tried to obtain vaccine from other hospitals and were told that they were awaiting additional supplies of flu vaccine as well. Our vaccine supplier has changed the delivery date on us three times now, and we have little confidence in the latest date given to us, which is why we are postponing these public flu shot clinics.”

Dustin said CMMC ordered its vaccine early and buys it from three different suppliers. That has assured the hospital and its affiliated physicians of an adequate supply, he said.

He noted, however, that he’s been told some hospitals and some practices have been having a hard time getting vaccine.

“It isn’t that there’s a shortage,” Dustin said. “There’s just a problem in the supply line, in getting the vaccine delivered.”

Earlier this month Dr. Dora Ann Mills, the head of Maine’s Bureau of Health, said there would be no shortages of vaccine this year. Last year, shortages left many people without the preventative vaccine. Many others were able to get shots, but much later in the season than usual.

Mills didn’t immediately return a call Tuesday seeking comment.

Maine’s flu season traditionally begins around Thanksgiving and runs through February.

Donahue said St. Mary’s has activated a flu shot hot line, 753-5464, to keep people updated on vaccine availability at Community Clinical Services medical practices, which are affiliated with St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. He encourages patients to call the hot line before calling their doctor’s office about a flu shot.

Dustin said people attending CMMC’s Sunday clinic might consider bringing along a folding chair. He said the clinic will be first come, first served, and lines could form.