MIL OSI – Source: Auckland Regional Public Health Service – Press Release/Statement
Headline: Limited supply of BCG vaccine available despite world shortage
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) has obtained a limited supply of the BCG vaccine despite an ongoing worldwide shortage which is affecting New Zealand and many other countries.
“Our team is doing their best to vaccinate as many babies as possible on the waiting list over the next ten weeks,” says Medical Officer of Health Dr Cathy Pikholz.
Vaccinations start on Monday 14 March and will continue until the end of May when the current batch of vaccine expires.
ARPHS will contact parents to schedule vaccination appointments.
“My request is for parents to please be patient and wait for our team to contact them for an appointment. Our vaccination team have a small window of opportunity to work through a large backlog of vaccinations,” says Dr Pikholz.
“We have opened additional clinics to allow us to schedule the maximum number of vaccinations our team can handle. Our first priority has to be the most vulnerable babies, which are those who have been in contact with an individual who has had tuberculosis,” says Dr Pikholz.
After this batch of BCG vaccine is administered, the distributor is unable to provide an estimate of when new stock will become available again in New Zealand. It is likely the worldwide shortage will continue.
Please continue to use this website as a reference point for BCG vaccine. When more information becomes available this page will be updated with the latest vaccine news.
Thank you for your patience.
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