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While supplies of the standard strength quadrivalent flu shot appear to be adequate here in the United States, some pharmacies are reporting problems getting the high dose flu vaccine designed for seniors (65+), as reported yesterday by Indiana TV outlet WLFI (see Local pharmacies struggle with "High Dose" flu vaccine shortage).
Those over 65 can still elect to get the standard flu jab, as I did, but will lose out on some potential added protection.Elsewhere around the world, getting this year's flu vaccine has become even more of a challenge. Some of that is likely due to the WHO's 30-day delay in deciding on which H3N2 strain to include (see WHO Selects Fall H3N2 Flu Shot Component: Clade 3C.3a), but there also appear to be some (unspecified) manufacturing challenges involved as well.
Last May it was announced that the supply of FluMist Quadrivalent - a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) - would be severely limited this fall (see AAP News report Nasal spray flu vaccine supply will be limited next season).
In early June Taiwan announced that their fall flu vaccine campaign - which normally begins on October 1st - would be delayed until mid-to-late November, and that initial supplies would be limited (see Taiwan Warns Of Delays In This Fall's Flu Vaccine).
In July Sanofi Pasteur announced (see AAP news report) that deliveries of this fall's vaccine would likely be delayed in the U.S. as well, stating:
“Sanofi Pasteur fully expects to manufacture and deliver every dose reserved by our customers, beginning with partial shipments to all customers in late-August or September, with all shipments completed by the end of November."Also in July, the UK's NHS issued a letter to GPs and Community Pharmacists regarding the expected delayed arrival of the quadrivalent vaccine this fall.
Three weeks ago, it was announced that`All manufacturers supplying Canada with influenza vaccine are experiencing shortages or delays in the delivery of their vaccines for various reasons' (see Canada Anticipates Additional Flu Vaccine Delays).A concurrent CTVNews report (see Canada won't offer flu vaccine nasal spray due to global shortage) quoted from an email sent by Public Health Canada spokesperson Anna Maddison, which explained the policy change “. . . because of production challenges this year, there is a significantly lower amount of FluMist Quadrivalent supply available globally.”
Today the British press is full of reports that they expect delays in delivery of their nasal flu mist (Fluenz Tetra) vaccine, which is used primarily for children (see UK Nursing Times UK set to face children’s flu vaccine delays this winter).A statement from the Scottish Government website - published yesterday - provides the details.
Update on flu programme
Published: 22 Oct 2019 12:10
Part of: Health and social care, Children and families
Efforts to minimise any delays to children’s flu vaccination.
Work is underway to minimise any potential disruption to the childhood flu immunisation caused by a delivery delay in some batches of a nasal spray flu vaccine.
The vaccines are due to arrive next month and the potential delay is due to issues relating to routine testing of Fluenz TetraTM by the manufacturer and is not related to the safety or the efficacy of the vaccine.
The vaccine is procured by Public Health England and then transported to all areas of the UK.
Scotland’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said:
“The Scottish Government is aware there is likely to be a delay in the supply of a proportion of the Fluenz Tetra children’s vaccine which is procured by Public Health England on behalf of all of the UK.
“We have been exploring how to best use the available stock based on evidence and clinical advice, and I have written to Health Protection Scotland and NHS Board Coordinators asking them to prioritise children with eligible health conditions and the two to five-year-old programme, similar to other parts of the UK.
“The school vaccination programme is currently continuing as normal. However, should there be the expected disruption to supply, it could lead to vaccinations in some primary schools being rescheduled.
“NHS Board areas are currently working to do that based on the projections we are receiving on the revised delivery schedule. Whilst this is unfortunate, it is completely outwith our control and we would continue to urge eligible people to be vaccinated as we know this is the best way to protect against the flu.
“This does not impact the adult flu programme.”
(Continue . . . )
Given the shortage announcement from AstraZeneca last May, and Canada's dropping of the nasal flu vaccine 3 weeks ago, it's hard to understand how they didn't see this coming.
The ultimate impact of these shortages will depend upon when flu season ramps up, its severity, and whether the manufacturers manage to deliver sufficient quantities of the vaccine before that happens.This year is a reminder that vaccine production doesn't always go smoothly, even for seasonal flu strains. Vaccine virus strains can replicate slowly, or pick up spontaneous mutations (particularly in egg-based vaccines), that complicate the process.
That, of course, goes double when trying to create an emergency pandemic vaccine (see Manufacturing Pandemic Flu Vaccines: Easier Said Than Done).While flu activity remains low in the United States and Canada, this week several states have reported recent flu deaths, including:
Wisconsin Department of Health: Three people have died from the flu in the past 10 daysAs more media reports of flu activity are published, the public's demand for the flu shot will only increase.
L.A. County officials report first flu death of season
Indiana Reports First Flu Death
Since it takes at least two weeks following receipt of the shot to reach peak protection - if you have yet to get the vaccine - you might want to seek it now while lines are short and the vaccine is still relatively easy to find.
