Pharmacies are warning of significant vaccine supply constraints amid a surge in demand, the National Pharmacy Association reports.
87 per cent of pharmacies responded to a snap survey by NPA reporting to have seen considerable rises in requests from worried parents for meningitis vaccinations, far exceeding supply available from wholesalers which is being carefully managed.
Some pharmacies have reported receiving 30 to 40 requests for bookings just this morning (Tuesday) as well as requests from patients pre-emptively trying to order antibiotics.
Pharmacies typically only supply MenB and MenACWY vaccinations as part of travel services, with only a handful of patients bookings a year but many have reported to the NPA seeing substantial numbers of patients trying to book due to the outbreak in Kent.
Similarly, 95 per cent of pharmacies surveyed by the NPA had seen a surge in patients seeking advice on minor ailment symptoms who are concerned these could be indicators of meningitis, often referred by the NHS 111 service.
The NPA are urging patients to be mindful that many pharmacies may not be able to order stocks due to the outbreak and to be courteous towards pharmacy teams who are having to manage expectations as well as limited supplies.
Oliver Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association said:
“Pharmacies are getting unprecedented levels of requests for meningitis vaccinations and many are unable to order in supplies from wholesalers.
“We understand many patients, including parents with older teenagers, will be concerned by this situation and will be keen to vaccinate themselves or their loved ones.
“However, pharmacies are having to manage constrained levels of supply and many have told us they cannot order in new stock.
“We urge patients to be courteous and understanding towards their pharmacy teams, who are doing their best to manage very constrained stock levels, on top of managing a busy pharmacy.”
