Flu jabs at 70% of orders: Luxembourg's pharmacies, and a Europe-wide reformulation delay

Pharmacies across Luxembourg have received only about 70% of the flu-vaccine doses they ordered, Alain de Bourcy, president of the Luxembourg Pharmacists’ Association, told RTL on Friday¹. Almost every pharmacy in the country is affected; Radio 100,7 first reported the gap on Friday morning¹. De Bourcy blamed a change in this year’s vaccine composition for production delays, and said demand for jabs is higher than usual¹. New deliveries are scheduled before or during the weekend, with sufficient stock expected by next week at the latest; he said there was “no cause for alarm”¹.

The wider European pattern. Spain’s El Mundo reported that updating all three flu strains at once forced manufacturers to reformulate and slowed supply across Europe². In Germany, the Pharmazeutische Zeitung noted that the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut began batch testing late, adding to the calendar squeeze³. UK contractors have also reported running out amid stock pressure this season [prior desk coverage]. The common thread is logistics after a full strain change, not a safety scare about the jab itself.

For you. If you still need a flu vaccination, ring the pharmacy before you travel; a 70% delivery rate means some shelves are empty even when the national story says “next week”¹. People at higher risk should keep their appointment window open rather than assume walk-in stock. This is information, not medical advice.