A SHORTAGE of the flu vaccine has led to NHS Forth Valley postponing the jab for some children in the Wee County.

The health board has been advised by the Scottish Government that there is a national shortage of Fluenz Tetra children's nasal spray vaccine, and as a result, has halted the vaccine for kids in P4-P7.

Instead, the jab will be prioritised for children at greater risk of flu, such as two to five-year-olds and those older children with underlying health issues.

Adults looking to get immunised are unaffected as they use a different vaccine.

A spokesperson for NHS Forth Valley said: "The national childhood flu vaccination programme began in Forth Valley at the beginning of October 2019 and many children have already received their vaccination.

"Due to a UK-wide issue affecting the supply of the nasal flu vaccine for children, the Scottish Government has asked NHS Boards to prioritise current stocks of the vaccine for children at greatest risk from the flu virus.

"This includes 2-5-year-olds who receive the vaccine at GP practices and children aged 5–17 with underlying health conditions.

"The school flu vaccination programme in Forth Valley is continuing and, like a number of other NHS Boards, we are focussing on children in P1 – P3 for the next few weeks.

"Older children with underlying health conditions are able to get vaccinated at their local GP practice and arrangements are being put in place to offer the vaccine to children in P4 – P7 once more vaccine supplies become available in the next few weeks."

The Scottish Government has said the potential delay is due to issues relating to routine testing of Fluenz TetraTM by the manufacturer and is not related to the safety or the efficacy of the vaccine.

Dr Gregor Smith, deputy chief medical officer for the government, added: "I would like to reassure parents and families that we are doing everything possible to minimise any disruption caused by the UK-wide delay in supply of Fluenz Tetra. We are working with Public Health England, Health Protection Scotland, NHS boards and other relevant partners to ensure that all eligible children get their flu vaccine as soon as possible.

“Those most at risk and children aged two to five-years-old will be prioritised initially, with boards working to ensure all other eligible children, such as those at primary school, receive their vaccine in due course.” 

He added: "Whilst this is unfortunate, it is completely outwith our control and we would continue to urge eligible people to be vaccinated as we know this is the best way to protect against the flu."