The effectiveness of the influenza vaccination campaign is being threatened by significant vaccine supply difficulties.
According to a survey by the Irish College of General Practitioners, health boards are failing to supply individual practices with adequate supplies of influenza, pneumococcal and meningitis vaccines.
Dr Damian Rutledge, a GP in Ringsend, told The Irish Times: "When the influenza public health campaign began, there was a five-day period when no influenza vaccine was available from the East Coast Area Health Board. Last Monday I was told there would be no flu vaccine supplied until November 3rd."
A spokeswoman for the East Coast Area Health Board said: "The usage of flu vaccine has been very high and this reflects the success of the campaign. The rate of usage is nearly twice as high as before. There has been a temporary delay in receiving further supply which is due in for national distribution next week and will be issued to GPs without delay. World-wide pressure on supplies has resulted in additional vaccines being delayed."