A midlands GP says demand for the vaccine has gone way up this year.
There are calls for the Health Minister to go before the Dáil to explain how 600,000 doses of the flu jab have gone missing.
The HSE has stopped distribution of the vaccine to find out what happened, after a letter was sent to doctors and pharmacists saying only 700,000 of the 1.3 million jabs have been administered, according to the Irish Independent.
Roscommon-Galway TD Denis Naughten says the situation needs to be clarified as a lot of people need the flu jab to get through the winter:
The head of the HSE insists no flu vaccines sent out to GPs and pharmacists have gone missing.
The Health Service says claims that doses have gone missing may stem from vaccines that have been sent out not being given to patients yet or doctors not having applied for reimbursement.
CEO Paul Reid has told the Oireachtas Health Committee how the issue has come about:
There's a 20 to 25% increase in the number of people taking up the flu vaccine.
That's according to the president of the Irish Medical Organisation, Dr. Padraig McGarry.
The Longford GP says, aside from the distribution issue that has emerged, there's going to be a significant shortfall because of the jump in demand:
Puska Brother Attacked In Prison
Enterprise Department Confirms Over 80 Westmeath Jobs At Risk
Offaly Teacher Pays Tribute To Colleagues After Winning STEM Award
Asthma Society of Ireland Hold Workshop In Laois This Weekend
Laois TD Calls For Shorter Ambulance Deployment Distance
Uisce Eireann Publish Shannon Pipeline Consultation Submissions Report
70% Of Farming Families Lack Succession Plan
Mental Health Charity Triple Counselling Sessions After Citywest Protests
Westmeath Library To Close For Three Months From Today
Drug Usage On The Rise In The Midlands
Shannon Callows Farmers Demand Inclusion In Flood Management Group
Offaly Teachers Win National STEM Award
Appeal Lodged Against 600 Acre Laois Solar Farm Project
Government Funding To Benefit Midlands Historical Structures
Former GAA Referee Pleads Guilty To Indecent Assault
Laois TD Warns EU Plans Threaten Irish Neutrality
Almost One Million Cigarettes Seized In Offaly
Management Can Easily End Industrial Action - SIPTU
Westmeath Credit Union Manager Wins Lifetime Achievement Award