STANSTEAD, QC | Dr. Gilles Bouchard, 69, is officially retired but still has Vermont and Quebec licenses to practice medicine which his does in his year old home/office on Dufferin Street here, just a short distance from the US border.

Most of his patients are from Vermont but some come from as far away as Connecticut because of his accessibility and country-doctor manner.

Normally a mild-mannered, good-natured man, Dr. Bouchard was angry last week as he drew attention from the Canadian media in droves when it was learned that Americans were converging on him seeking flu vaccine shots because of the dire shortage in the United States.

He was quoted as saying that he did not intend giving every American that came to his door a flu shot and that he must look after his Canadian patients first.

The fact is that Dr Bouchard will get only a small amount of the Canadian supply of flu vaccine that he could not, by law, administer to non-Quebec residents.

In spite of the fact many or perhaps even most of his patients are American, he will not receive American flu vaccine.

"There is a panic and they are desperate for flu shots" Dr. Bouchard said. "I am very sorry, but I cannot help them."

Dr. Bouchard said that recently his patients make up only a small portion of those looking for vaccine. He claims he has had calls from people in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and even as far away as Texas. He says he has not given flu shots to any of his American patients or any of the callers.

Dr, Bouchard says he has only ordered 100 doses of the vaccine and is not planning to order any more.

Vermonters will have to look to their own state or country to get their flu vaccine, which is in short supply this year.

Guidelines have been established by the state that dictate that only those in most dire need will receive the vaccine -- unless a supply can legally be obtained from Canada.

Dr. Bouchard, who worked and practiced in the Newport area as well as the border town of Stanstead, retired several years ago and opted out the Quebec health plan under which he would submit his patients bills to Quebec for payment.

Now he treats Canadian and American patients alike on a pay-as-you-go basis, not turning anyone away.

A sign outside his door reads: "No one must pay if you are short of money. Just say "Thanks, doc."

You will not get a bill.

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Copyright © 2004 Gordon Alexander/Log Cabin Chronicles/10.04