Flu vaccine supply crisis affects both public and private health sectors in Cyprus

In early October 2026, private pharmacies in Cyprus were unexpectedly notified that their orders for approximately 13,000 flu vaccine doses would not be fulfilled. These orders had been placed six months in advance through the supplier Viatris Hellas. The cancellation caused significant concern among pharmacists, who were left without supplies for patients outside the government's vaccination program, including students and other individuals planning to vaccinate via private doctors.

Investigations into the supply disruption revealed that the issue stems from global manufacturing challenges, specifically difficulties in adapting vaccines to three new influenza strains for the 2026–2027 season. This issue is not unique to Cyprus, as several European nations, including Austria, Slovenia, and Estonia, have reported similar delivery delays of six to eight weeks. The problem also extends to the Cypriot state health sector, where a delivery delay of 110,000 doses of Sanofi's Vaxigrip vaccine has forced the Ministry of Health to adjust its own national vaccination strategy.

To mitigate the impact on the private sector, the Ministry of Health announced on October 13 that it intends to allocate approximately 10,000 doses to private pharmacies once the state's own supply is secured. Meanwhile, current state vaccinations for individuals over 60 and high-risk groups continue with 60,000 doses already in stock, while doctors expect additional shipments by the end of October.