Need A Flu Shot? Head North

Elsewhere in the country, people lined up before sunrise, some in wheelchairs, and others with oxygen tanks in tow. They were all hoping to get a coveted flu shot, but many of them never got one.

"It's terrible," said Frances Cox who brought her mother to a flu shot clinic. "It's a bad state of thing that these old people, these older people who have done so much for us have to stand out here in the cold weather, then get sent home with nothing."

It gets worse.

One woman in California collapsed and died after waiting in line for five hours.

It's gotten downright ridiculous trying to get a flu shot in this country and that's why some are looking elsewhere.

There is no vaccine shortage in Canada. A health care clinic at Vancouver International Airport is beginning to see a brisk business.

"We had a flu shot clinic yesterday, we actually gave 80 flu shots yesterday," said Dr. Videsh Kapoor. "Since we sort of heard there is a shortage I anticipate we will see a lot of Americans coming in for flu shots."

Bill Brestal flew into Vancouver International from Missouri, not for a connecting flight, but for something he can't get at home.

"My son's going hunting so I came up with him to get a flu shot because they don't have it down in the states," he explained. "The only thing we've got is from England and we are out of supply."

Canadian health officials expect to see a lot of their American neighbors crossing the border for flu shots.

"If there are Americans that are visiting Canada that wish to avail themselves of a flu vaccine while they are here, then I'm sure our health care workers will accommodate them. But we will also try and make sure there is not a shortage for British Columbians," said British Columbia's health minister Colin Hansen.

At this point Hansen isn't worried they'll run out of vaccine.

In the last presidential debate, President George W. Bush suggested the U.S. might be able to get surplus flu vaccine from Canada. But Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson says that's unlikely because it's not licensed for sale in the U.S.