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.
Pharmacists are restricting private flu shots to individuals over 65 due to a shortage of vaccine supplies, according to reports. The delay is caused by the need to update all three strains of the vaccine, as opposed to just one, on the recommendation of the World Health Organisation. Larry Macken, a pharmacist at Macken's Chemist in Blackrock, Dublin, explained that this change has led to a manufacturing bottleneck, with pharmaceutical companies prioritising the supply to the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, acknowledged the disruptions but stated that the shortage does not impact immunocompromised individuals or more vulnerable people. She mentioned a wait for flu vaccinations on the private side and expressed hope that private patients would understand the importance of vaccinating those at highest risk first to prevent them from falling ill or ending up in hospital. The HSE plans to launch its free winter flu vaccination campaign on October 8.
Written by urgent.news from RTE News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
