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 immunisation to those over 65.

The supply delay is because all three strains in the vaccine had to be changed this year, on advice from the World Health Organisation.

Larry Macken, of Macken's Chemist in Blackrock in Dublin, said this had led to a manufacturing crunch, as normally just one strain has to be updated.

He said that the pharmaceutical companies are prioritising the HSE supply and pharmacies currently are focusing on those aged 65 years and over.