There is no shortage of meningitis A and C vaccine for first year university students, the Department of Health told The Journal on September 22. Doctors should be able to obtain supplies directly from the distributor, Farillon, and orders would be processed on a first come, first served basis.
Furthermore, pharmacists should be able to obtain meningitis A and C vaccine through their normal suppliers. The Journal has been told of pharmacists who are unable to get supplies but the Department of Health said it was not aware of any shortages affecting pharmacists.
On September 17 the British Medical Association called on the Government to "take immediate corrective action to stem the scandalous situation developing with vaccines shortages around the country". The Department of Health responded by saying that, following talks with vaccine manufacturers in July, stocks of both BCG and diphtheria/tetanus booster would be available soon. Full supplies of the BCG vaccine should be available in October, it said.