Thousands will have summer wait for flu jab

THOUSANDS of people will have to wait until next summer before receiving the swine flu vaccine because of delays in accessing the seven million doses ordered by the Government.

Health Minister Mary Harney yesterday told the Dáil it will take between six to eight months to vaccinate the entire population: “The vaccine is arriving in small quantities due to the demand for the vaccine worldwide,” she said.

Children between six months and four years will start getting vaccines from next week. “After that the focus will be on the over 65s and school children, with the rest of the population coming after that. It could be up to eight months before we get to everyone,” said Ms Harney.