Pharmacists restrict flu shot to over 65s due to shortage

Pharmacists say that due to a current shortage of flu vaccine supplies, they are restricting private immunisation to those over 65.

The supply delay is because all three strains in the vaccine had to be changed this year, on advice from the World Health Organisation.

Larry Macken, of Macken's Chemist in Blackrock in Dublin, said this had led to a manufacturing crunch, as normally just one strain has to be updated.

He said that the pharmaceutical companies are prioritising the HSE supply and pharmacies currently are focusing on those aged 65 years and over.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said that there are disruptions to flu vaccine supplies but that they do not affect the immunocompromised, or more vulnerable people.

She said there was a wait on the private side for flu vaccinations.

The Minister said it was early in the season and that more flu vaccines will become available.

She said she hoped private patients would understand the need to get the vaccine to those most at-risk first, to keep them out of hospital and out of illness.

The HSE is due to launch its free winter flu vaccination campaign on 8 October.