(Chicago, IL) -- CVS is ending its seasonal flu shot clinics ahead of schedule due to a shortage of the vaccine.

The drugstore chain announced this week that the clinics will only run through October 22nd instead of lasting until the end of November as planned.

A spokesperson for CVS blamed the vaccine shortage on manufacturer delays and consumer demand that was much higher than the drug store anticipated when it started the inoculation program last month.

The company originally planned to hold around nine-thousand flu shot clinics at Longs Drugs and CVS stores nationwide.

The vaccine will continue to be available at 500 of CVS's MinuteClinic locations in 25 states.

The company says supplies of the influenza vaccine will be replenished as frequently as possible throughout the flu season.

Rite Aid is also dealing with delays on orders of the seasonal flu vaccine.

A spokesperson for the drugstore chain said there have been "spot shortages" because some flu shot manufacturers have switched to production of the H1N1 vaccine.

Rite Aid still expects to get its full allotment of the seasonal flu vaccine, even if it is a little behind schedule.

Rival drugstore Walgreens says it is not having any problems with its flu shot supply.

　

(Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)