Problems with this year’s flu vaccine supply are not limited to private pharmacies, with the Health Ministry also facing delays in the delivery of 110,000 doses ordered for the state vaccination programme.
The disruption that emerged on Friday, when private pharmacies were told that orders placed six months ago had been cancelled, appears to be part of a wider supply problem that is also affecting the government’s vaccination programme.
The Health Ministry is dealing with delays in the delivery of 110,000 flu vaccine doses ordered for this season, prompting a revision of its vaccination plans. The National Vaccination Committee has already been formally informed of the changes.
According to philenews information, efforts are also under way to determine whether a solution can be found to help supply private pharmacies.
The problem is not confined to Cyprus. The situation on the island is linked to broader difficulties across the European market, where production and delivery delays for flu vaccines are estimated at six to eight weeks, according to available information.
What happened in the international market
Producing this season’s flu vaccines has proved more difficult than initially expected, causing delivery delays in several European countries.
For the 2026-27 season, all three influenza strains included in the vaccines had to be changed in line with recommendations from the World Health Organisation and the European Medicines Agency.
This meant manufacturers had to adjust the composition of their vaccines to the viruses expected to circulate this winter.
The vaccines now contain two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain, while the previously included B/Yamagata strain has been removed.
The process was complicated by delays in finalising one of the strains to be used in production. As a result, manufacturers received the material needed to produce the vaccines later than expected.
Production problems at manufacturing plants added to the delays. According to available information, Sanofi lost about two million doses of a specific type of flu vaccine because of a manufacturing problem, while CSL Seqirus experienced delays in the filling process.
Not all flu vaccines have been affected to the same extent. Some conventional vaccines are experiencing greater delays, while high-dose vaccines, used to provide greater protection for older people, appear to be reaching the market more smoothly.
The problem concerns vaccine production and delivery times, rather than their safety or effectiveness.
The 110,000 doses awaited by the Health Ministry
The international supply problems have already forced the Health Ministry to change its schedule.
According to information obtained by philenews, 110,000 doses of the conventional flu vaccine, originally due to arrive in Cyprus in two batches on 30 September and 15 October, have been delayed until early November.
Under the latest schedule, all 110,000 doses are now expected to arrive between 2 and 6 November.
The change is significant because the doses are intended for groups covered by the state vaccination programme.
The delay forced the authorities to adjust the timetable rather than postpone the entire vaccination programme until the supplies arrive.
Why over-60s are being vaccinated first
A key factor in the revised plan is that 60,000 doses of the high-dose flu vaccine for people aged 60 and over have not faced the same delay.
Those doses were scheduled for delivery at the end of September, allowing the Health Ministry to begin vaccinating an age group at increased risk of severe illness and complications from flu.
This allowed the programme to begin at around the same time as in previous years rather than being postponed entirely until November.
During the 2025-26 vaccination season, vaccinations through personal doctors began on 12 October, while the start of the 2024-25 programme was announced in early October.
Under the revised plan, vaccinations for people aged 60 and over are proceeding using the available high-dose vaccines, while the programme is expected to expand to other eligible groups once the 110,000 conventional doses arrive.
Private pharmacy orders cancelled
The problems facing the Health Ministry come after disruption emerged in the private pharmacy sector on Friday.
Private pharmacists, who had placed their orders six months ago, were informed at midday on Friday that the flu vaccines they had been expecting would not be delivered.
The failure to fulfil the orders was attributed to production and scheduling problems following changes to the strains included in this season’s vaccine.
Unlike the state programme, for which a revised delivery schedule is now available, the private-sector orders were cancelled and it remains unclear whether alternative supplies can be secured.
The development has created uncertainty for thousands of people who obtain their flu vaccines through private pharmacies, particularly those who are not eligible under the state vaccination programme.
Solution sought for private pharmacies
The Pancyprian Pharmaceutical Association has already contacted the Pharmaceutical Services, asking for the problem to be addressed and for authorities to consider whether vaccines from state orders could be made available.
According to philenews information, discussions are under way at the Health Ministry to determine whether a way can be found to also meet the needs of the private sector.
