Last week, Guernsey’s Health & Social Care (HSC) announced the start of the influenza (flu) vaccine programme for 2020/21. This was based on the scheduled delivery dates of the flu vaccine.
The following vaccines have already arrived on Island and is being rolled out already via primary care and the school nursing team:
- Quadrivalent Influenza vaccine for 18-65 year olds
- Intranasal influenza for aged 2 to school year 7
The adjuvated influenza vaccine (for over 65s) was delivered on Monday. The storage of the vaccinations is temperature sensitive. As a result of the boats not sailing on Friday and Saturday, unfortunately these vaccines were outside of the cold-chain (delivery process) for too long and were deemed not fit for use.
The vaccines are transported in special containers which keep the vaccines cold for a certain period of time. Due to the weather delay, the manufacturers directed that the vaccines be destroyed and a new batch has been issued.
The flu vaccine is distributed from the supplier through a logistics company. They become the responsibility of HSC once we have accepted delivery of the product. An agreement is in place that ensures no extra cost is incurred by HSC or the States of Guernsey in such incidences.
HSC hopes to have replacement stock by week commencing 12 October 2020.
HSC has advised primary care practices and pharmacists of the delay in the receipt of the vaccine for the over 65s and, as a result, has suggested that clinics booked for this week for the over 65s are postponed.
