Canadians could see a shortage of the flu vaccine this winter.

The biggest supplier in the country says it will not be able to fill about 30 per cent of its Canadian order – because of problems at its production facility in Ste. Foy, Quebec.

Glaxosmithkline says the shortfall will be about two million doses.

GSK received a warning letter from the US Food and Drug Administration earlier this year – after an inspection found a variety of problems, including bacterial contamination in the plant’s water supply.

The company says the shortage isn’t related to that – but wouldn’t say what did lead to the vaccine shortfall.

Glaxosmithkline was scheduled to supply 53 per cent of the flu vaccine this year.