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GPs are being asked to “play God” by deciding who to give the flu vaccine due to a shortage in the availability of the medicine due to an increase in demand, said one GP .
The GP, who did not want to be named, contacted The Irish Times to highlight the fact that the HSE is telling GPs that they have one more delivery of the vaccine to administer to GPs. and they won’t be able to get more this year. .
“I understand that there is a shortage of the vaccine, but we are trying to catch up and now we are being asked to play the role of God in terms of who should be vaccinated and who should not,” said the GP.
“Pregnant women are the most vulnerable category, but now we say ‘maybe not’ to them because pregnant women are now in the additional risk group to be vaccinated after the first priority group.”
According to the letter sent by the HSE to all GPs, the HSE notes that there has been an unprecedented demand for the flu vaccine both in Ireland and internationally, while the quantities available from manufacturers are finite.
“By October 28, the national cold chain service will have delivered 950,000 QIV flu vaccines to sites across the country, an increase from the same time last year,” the HSE said.
“The fourth flu vaccine delivery cycle will be delivered beginning October 29 over a two-week period and will be completed on November 11. His fourth installment will be 25 percent of his last season’s usage. “
According to HSE’s advice to GPs, the vaccine should be administered first to the highest priority risk group, which includes people 65 years of age and older and healthcare workers and others with direct patient contact .
Pregnant women belong to the second category, described as the Additional Risk Groups to be vaccinated later, and this group also includes people with underlying health problems and other health workers.
According to the GP, the situation is difficult enough for GPs, but the HSE categorization did not include people such as teachers, special needs assistants, and gardai, who he believes should be included on the list.
“If I am 60 years old, vulnerable diabetic, hypertensive with a history of heart problems, I have to say ‘I’m sorry, I can’t give you the flu shot’; this year is a disaster, but I don’t think we can blame anyone. “
“Yesterday I received 30 vaccines, but that does not meet the demand at our clinic. We have 190 on our waiting list of people who have already called and I’m going to get another 40 in two weeks and then I’m done. “
The GP asked how the HSE was unable to obtain more vaccine stocks, while it appeared that private pharmacies could obtain sufficient supplies to serve those who paid for the vaccine privately.
The HSE said it had purchased nearly 2 million doses of the influenza vaccine this year, which is almost double the amount administered last season and this includes 1.4 million doses of the quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) for Adults.
This figure of 1.4 million adult QIV doses is more than 20% more QIV than was used last season, as higher absorption was expected in target groups, as identified by the Advisory Committee National Immunization (NIAC) said.
By October 28, a total of 950,000 QIV flu vaccines will have been delivered nationwide, a 10 percent increase compared to the same period last season, the HSE said.
Demand
“There has been unprecedented demand for the flu vaccine this season, which is a positive reflection of public awareness,” the HSE said, adding that it was prioritizing the most vulnerable to maximize the benefit from remaining stocks.
The HSE said it was basing its decision in terms of who should get the vaccine first on the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for prioritizing the flu vaccine during Covid-19.
WHO had identified the highest priority risk groups for vaccination are people 65 years of age and older and health and home care workers with direct contact with patients, he said.
The HSE said that it had also purchased 600,000 doses of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) for children ages 2 to 12 and that this free vaccination program was underway across the country.
The HSE said that those who were not eligible for HSE flu vaccines must obtain these privately, but the HSE was not involved in the acquisition or distribution of private stock, he said.
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