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HSE has issued instructions that its stock of influenza vaccines should not be used for anyone outside of the “risk” category.
This happens when some pharmacy chains have been forced in recent weeks to cancel appointments for people trying to get vaccinated.
Tonight, the HSE said more flu vaccines had been purchased this season and there were enough for those at risk.
“HSE shares should not be used for anyone outside of these groups,” said a statement to independent.ie.
“The availability of private stock is an agreement between manufacturers and pharmaceutical wholesalers.
“The HSE supply has no influence on this commercial agreement.”
It said it purchased 1.4 million doses of the adult quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV), more than 20% more QIV than was used or distributed last season.
According to the executive, greater acceptance was expected in specific groups, as identified by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and the Department of Health.
The HSE has also purchased 600,000 doses of LAIV (Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine), the nasal spray vaccine for children ages two to 12.
The statement said that by the end of this week’s second delivery cycle, about 800,000 doses of influenza vaccine will have been delivered to more than 3,000 sites across the country.
This represents a 25% increase in the amounts of vaccine administered compared to last year.
A third two-week round of flu vaccine deliveries to sites began yesterday.
However, it will be reduced due to a delay in shipping the vaccine from the manufacturer.
“To date, all sites have received 75% of the amount used last season, and the allocation for the third installment will increase this to 90%.
“There will be more stocks available for the fourth round of deliveries,” he said.
Family doctors, pharmacists, hospitals and nursing homes will continue to receive the same treatment to ensure “equitable distribution of the influenza vaccine to all target groups for vaccination.”
“We recognize that this flu season has seen a marked increase in demand for the vaccine earlier in the season.
“The HSE flu vaccine should only be used for those in the groups eligible for the HSE flu vaccine program,” he said.
“Sufficient stocks have been ordered to vaccinate those in the HSE risk groups and all shipments will have reached Ireland by the end of October.”
Those in the risk group include people 65 and older, pregnant women, children ages two to 12, and adults with long-term health conditions, such as chronic heart or liver disease.
Health workers and caregivers are also considered at risk.
Online editors
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