Schools face flu vaccine delays over testing issue
FLU vaccinations could be delayed for some school children in Wales due to testing problems, it has been revealed.
The inoculations, delivered in a nasal spray to children between the ages of two and 10, were due to arrive next month.
But Fluenz Tetra, manufactured by pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, confirmed the vaccine has been the subject of testing which could lead to the delivery of some batches being delayed.
The manufacturers have said tests will have to be repeated on some batches of the vaccine.
Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Frank Atherton said: “The Welsh Government is aware of the anticipated disruption to the supply of Fluenz Tetra children’s vaccine, expected in November.
“In Wales there is sufficient stock currently available to ensure primary care can commence the vaccination of children aged two and three and those in clinical risk groups under the age of 18 as they do each flu season. This will ensure the most vulnerable are vaccinated first.
“The school vaccination programme is currently continuing as normal. Should there be a disruption to supply, the school programme may require modification with vaccination of the younger children in the first instance.
“The Welsh Government will work with Public Health Wales and NHS Wales to minimise disruption to the vaccination programme.”
Public Health Wales claims the annual flu vaccination is the best protection against catching or spreading flu.
People with long-term health conditions, pregnant women, those aged 65 and over, unpaid carers and care home residents can all get it for free.
Staff working in healthcare settings, adult residential care homes, nursing homes and in children’s hospices with regular client contact are also eligible for a free flu vaccination at their community pharmacy.
Dr Atherton added: “Flu can be life-threatening for some people because it spreads very easily.Annual flu vaccination is the single best way to protect yourself and others against this potentially life-threatening illness.”
More people in “at risk” and recommended groups got their flu vaccine last season than ever before. An estimated 868,688 people were vaccinated. This includes almost seven in 10 people aged 65 and over, and almost six in 10 NHS Wales frontline staff.
“There were 62 outbreaks of flu in Wales during the 2018-19 season,” said Dr Richard Roberts, head of the vaccine preventable disease programme at Public Health Wales.
“And if you fall into any of the ‘at risk’ categories, you are vulnerable and more likely to get complications if you catch it, so even if you feel healthy, you should have your annual flu vaccine now.
“When people get flu, they tend to become ill quite quickly and symptoms can include fever, chills, headaches and aching muscles, often with a cough and sore throat. Some can have it without even realising and they can still spread it to others, sometimes with devastating effects.”
Flu spreads via droplets sprayed into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Direct contact with contaminated hands or surfaces can also spread infection.
It can spread rapidly, especially in closed environments like care homes, hospitals, and schools.