Answers sought over cancelled flu vaccinations in Carrickfergus

GP practices across Northern Ireland were forced to suspend bookings for the vaccine at the beginning of this week due to a worldwide supply shortage.

It follows “exceptionally high” demand for the seasonal inoculation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Public Health Agency.

The development means a “temporary pause” on some aspects of the programme until further stock becomes available next month, the Agency added.

Among the local surgeries to be affected was Castle Practice, with many patients reporting on social media that their appointments, or those of relatives had been called off.

In a statement the practice, based in Carrickfergus Health Centre, said: “The worldwide demand for influenza vaccine for this season has been exceptionally high. In line with extended recommendations relating to this year’s programme, Northern Ireland moved quickly to secure significant additional vaccine stocks compared to previous years.

“It is important to note that more than half a million doses of flu vaccine have already been distributed in Northern Ireland; an unprecedented number at this stage of a seasonal flu vaccination programme.

“This means that the existing stocks of quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVc) are now almost depleted. As a consequence, the HSCB have had to pause the ordering process for the time being. Further supplies are due in Northern Ireland in mid-November, at which time the ordering process will be reopened.

“There is also a cap on orders of influenza vaccine (aTIV) used for those aged 65+ years and the live attenuated influenza vaccine (Fluenz) for children to ensure that stock is maintained throughout the season.

“This is a worldwide issue and no further supplies are currently available.”

Staff are in the process of notifying all those who have booked appointments of the cancellations. “Where possible they will send a text message to anyone they cannot get in touch with,” the practice added.

“We hope to be in a position around mid-November to recommence the vaccine programme.”

Commenting on the issue, East Antrim MLA David Hilditch paid tribute to local healthcare staff who are facing a vaccination shortage in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis.

“I met [on Tuesday] morning with a number of GPs at Carrickfergus Health Centre who are doing a stellar job during such difficult and uncertain times,” he said.

“It must be stressed that the shortage in flu vaccines which we are currently facing is not a result of poor management in local surgeries, but rather appears to be a problem at a higher level.”

The DUP representative indicated that he had written a number of priority questions to the Health Minister to establish how the situation had occurred.

“I would also like to know how we compare to the other devolved regions; are we behind England, Scotland and Wales, for example,” he added.

“Most importantly if there’s now to be a month’s delay in giving out the vaccines, how will the Department be dealing with the backlog?”

Meanwhile, it is understood that flu vaccinations already booked through Scotch Quarter Practice, also based at Carrickfergus Health Centre, will be going ahead.

This includes next Saturday’s ‘out of hours’ clinic, according to practice manager, Linda Hylands.