Winter flu jabs ‘could be delayed’

A Department of Health official has confirmed that winter flu vaccines could be delayed until early December following manufacturing processes.

Dr David Salisbury, director of immunisation at the Department of Health, explained that the vaccine is made from three virus strains, one of which grew too slowly during the production process.

He said that the manufacturers had to start with a new strain, which “knocked their production back”. And despite the problems, Dr Salisbury told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the quantity of vaccine available is “looking good”, although a delay until November and possibly early December was likely.

He stated: “This is a Europe-wide problem this year, everybody is affected to exactly the same extent and most years influenza comes in the New Year but we can’t predict when it will happen.”

The news of delays come as the Scottish Executive launches its annual flu and pneumococcal immunisation programme.

Dr Harry Burns, chief medical officer, said that it is “so important” that older people get vaccinated before the start of winter.