NSW doctors forced to ration shingles vaccine as stock dwindles

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A shortage of the shingles vaccine has continued to frustrate NSW doctors, who have been forced to ration doses.

Patients aged over 65, immunocompromised adults and indigenous patients aged over 50 have been eligible for two free doses of Shingrix on the National Immunisation Program since November 1.

Close to 1.3 million vaccines were administered in the first six months by the federal Department of Health and Aged Care, however, they later admitted that demand had “exceeded the initial forecasts”.

Sydney GP Charlotte Hespe said her clinic was receiving 20 shots per month with nearly 2000 patients who qualified for the vaccine.

Most clinics in Sydney still have stock, but the vaccine has now sold out in NSW, meaning new orders will be delayed while doctors face a massive demand.

Sydney GP Charlotte Hespe said her clinic was receiving 20 vaccines per month but serviced nearly 2000 patients who qualified for the vaccine.

The supply was then increased to 50 per month as demand went up, but it still was not enough for some clinics.

“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,” Hespe told 9News.

“We’ve had a bottleneck…everybody’s had to wait in a queue and be filtered through a single channel.

“What we’re seeing is that we have exhausted the supply that the company was able to supply to us, and we’re now having to wait for them to do a bit of catch-up.”

Shingrix is manufactured by GSK Pharmaceutical, a global company based in the UK.

Most clinics in Sydney still have stock, however, the vaccine has now sold out in NSW, meaning new orders will be delayed while doctors face a massive demand.

Hespe said there was an undersupply from the initial order of vaccines.

“We are very dependent on this vaccine coming in from overseas,” Hespe said.

“GPs are doing their absolute best to make sure every shingles vaccine gets put into an arm to protect people from shingles.”

A spokesperson for the Health Minister said the department was working with GSX to bring more Shingrix shots into the country.

“The department is in discussion with the vaccine supplier, GSK, to bring in additional vaccines to meet the high demand being experienced across the country,” they said

“Additional vaccines will arrive in all states in coming weeks.

“In addition, the department is in regular contact with all jurisdictions to manage the supply of Shingrix.

“Advice to health professionals on whether there are temporary changes to local supply or prioritisation is a matter for state and territory governments.

“Shingrix is part of the National Immunisation Program, and the supply will be ongoing so that all eligible people are able to get vaccinated.”

A spokesperson for the Health Minister said the department is working with GSX to bring more Shingrix shots into the country.

The vaccine is currently out of stock in New South Wales, with GPs having to wait for the next shipment, which is expected later this month.

GSK told 9News that it was “working with the Australian Government to ensure Shingrix is accessible to Australians who need the vaccine, when and where they need it”.