Doctors in New South Wales (NSW) are grappling with a shortage of the shingles vaccine, leading to the rationing of doses amid increasing demand. The frustration among healthcare providers has escalated as supplies dwindle, affecting their ability to meet the needs of eligible patients.
Under the National Immunisation Program, patients aged over 65, immunocompromised adults, and Indigenous individuals aged over 50 have been entitled to receive two free doses of Shingrix since November 1. Despite approximately 1.3 million doses being administered in the first six months by the federal Department of Health and Aged Care, the actual demand surpassed initial projections.
While some clinics in Sydney still retain stock, the vaccine has completely sold out in NSW, resulting in delays for new orders and overwhelming demand for existing supplies. Dr. Charlotte Hespe, a Sydney GP, shared her clinic’s struggle, receiving only 20 vaccines per month to serve nearly 2000 eligible patients. Although the supply was later increased to 50 per month due to rising demand, this quantity remains inadequate for many clinics.
Dr. Hespe emphasized the challenge of prioritizing high-risk individuals amidst limited supply, stating, “Doctors have identified those that we knew would be the highest risk for shingles, then we just opened it up to people coming in…that’s tricky when you’ve got a very limited supply.”
The shortage has been exacerbated by an undersupply from the initial order of vaccines, primarily dependent on imports from overseas. GPs are striving to maximize distribution to protect the community from shingles, emphasizing the critical need for continuous supply.
GSK Pharmaceutical, the manufacturer of Shingrix based in the UK, acknowledged the situation and assured cooperation with the Australian government to address the accessibility of the vaccine.
In response to the escalating demand, a spokesperson for the Health Minister affirmed ongoing discussions with GSK to secure additional Shingrix shots for the country. They assured that more vaccines would be delivered nationwide in the coming weeks to ensure continuity in the National Immunisation Program.
Currently, the vaccine is out of stock in NSW, with healthcare providers eagerly awaiting the next shipment expected later this month. GSK reiterated their commitment to collaborating with the Australian government to ensure timely availability of Shingrix to those in need across the country.
