Vorarlberg pharmacists expect flu vaccine supplies by mid-November

The Vorarlberg Chamber of Pharmacists expects enough flu vaccine to be available for everyone by mid-November, despite delivery delays, ORF Vorarlberg reports. The federal procurement agency ordered sufficient doses, chamber president Christof van Dellen said.

For now, vaccinations are being reserved for people considered particularly vulnerable, including those with serious illnesses, pregnant women and children under two.

Van Dellen said the delivery problem should soon be resolved. He said waiting until mid-November to get vaccinated would make sense because there have been no influenza cases so far and later vaccination would provide protection for longer.

About 868,000 doses for the public influenza vaccination programme may arrive at the end of November rather than in October as agreed. Production problems and vulnerable international supply chains are cited as reasons for the delay. The Health Ministry has secured an additional 100,000 doses for Austria.