Cypriot pharmacies face shortage of flu vaccines due to production delays

Private pharmacies in Cyprus have been abruptly informed that their pre-ordered flu vaccines will not be delivered on time, causing significant disruption to the national vaccination schedule. Pharmacies had placed orders six to eight months in advance, but they were notified on October 9 that 13,000 doses intended for the private sector would not arrive as scheduled. The supplier attributed this shortfall to global production delays caused by the reformulation of vaccine strains for the 2026–2027 period.

The crisis extends beyond the private sector, as the Ministry of Health is also managing a delay in the delivery of 110,000 doses designated for the state vaccination program. While 60,000 high-dose vaccines for the elderly and vulnerable have already been received, the overall supply chain disruption reflects broader issues within the European market, with potential delays ranging from six to eight weeks.

Currently, the Pancyprian Pharmaceutical Association is in talks with the Ministry of Health to find immediate solutions, including the potential reallocation of state-held supplies to cover private sector needs. Ministry officials confirmed they are exploring mechanisms to address these gaps to ensure that citizens, particularly those not covered by the state program, have access to necessary vaccinations.