MASTA  is expecting a very busy flu season, “which is why we are working closely with manufacturers on delivery dates to ensure all customers receive their stock of flu vaccines in a timely manner,” a spokesperson told C+D today (August 3).

“As a wholesaler, MASTA would normally hold stock throughout the season but due to extremely high demand this year, we are already out of stock,” they added.

However, MASTA is “working with all occupational health providers delivering flu vaccines” to determine if their “unrequired stock can be reallocated to our GP and pharmacy customers”, the spokesperson added.

Community pharmacies should regularly check if the stock is available by emailing the MASTA flu team, as stock may become available “in the next few weeks”, they said.

Flu vaccine suppliers are getting ready to tackle what has been dubbed the “most comprehensive vaccination programme in UK history” this year, while also trying to mitigate potential supply issues.

 

Industrial investments to increase flu vaccine production

 

Global pharmaceutical company Viatris is “committed to” delivering all pre-ordered vaccination doses in time for the flu season, a spokesperson told C+D.

“Viatris will continue to work closely with UK authorities to support them in any way we can to facilitate another successful flu vaccination campaign this year,” the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, Sanofi Pasteur said it continuously increases its flu vaccine manufacturing capacities with “significant industrial investments”.

A spokesperson told C+D that the company has recently opened three new facilities across North America and Europe.

“We are in ongoing discussions with public health authorities around the world, due to the significant global demand for our flu vaccines,” a spokesperson told C+D.

Sanofi was unable to share the details of its “ongoing UK government decisions around the flu vaccine for the upcoming season”. However, the spokesperson added that the company “always strives to support health authorities around the world”.

 

Working on flu vaccines before the strain selection announcement

 

On its part, Seqirus said it is planning ahead by supplying vaccines "12 months in advance of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) strain selection announcement”.

“We then take the WHO recommended cell and egg culture strains and develop them at our manufacturing locations in Holly Springs, US and in Liverpool, UK in order to be prepared for the immunisation programme rollout,” Seqirus UK and Ireland cluster head Helen Concilia explained.

To manage the rocketing demand within the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Seqirus has “worked alongside influenza stakeholders to ensure that there are adequate supplies to support the expanded programme and protect public health”, she added.

C+D has reached out to flu vaccine manufacturer AstraZeneca for comment.

Over the past year, mask-wearing, physical and social distancing, and restricted international travel have resulted in “extremely low” levels of influenza across the world in 2020/21, the Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England and NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) said in a letter to flu vaccination providers on July 17.

With social distancing restrictions now lifted in the UK and a global lack of herd immunity built up against influenza, projections show that flu levels this year could be up to 50% larger than typically seen, resulting in an early flu season this autumn and winter.

NHSE&I is considering a national protocol to support the 2021/22 flu service programme, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee announced yesterday (August 3), following the publication of the service specification for the 2021/22 Community Pharmacy Seasonal Influenza Vaccination programme.