NI cannot complete its flu vaccination programme ‘at this stage’ - 200,000 doses short
Northern Ireland is almost 200,000 doses short of the flu vaccine and at this stage cannot complete its vaccination programme, it has emerged.
Dr Alan Stout, chair of NI’s GP committee (NIGPC) said he was “deeply concerned and frustrated about the shortfall”.
The BBC has reported that the Public Health Agency (PHA) said it acknowledged the “inconvenience”.
The shortage emerged at a meeting of GPs and Public Health Agency representatives, said Dr Stout.
“The shortage affects the over 65 age group.
“We cannot deliver the flu programme until we actually see the vaccine in fridges.”
The PHA said the demand for flu vaccine this year had been “phenomenal”.
“This demand has resulted in a temporary pause in the supply of vaccine for eligible people under 65, and additional controls to ensure fairer distribution to all GP practices across Northern Ireland,” a spokesperson said.
“To date we have distributed more vaccines in the past few weeks than the entirety of previous flu seasons.”