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Flu vaccine manufacturer Sanofi has warned of “supply challenges” affecting its Supemtek TIVr product ahead of the seasonal immunisation drive rollout in England, with some vaccination providers reporting that their orders have been cancelled.

The National Pharmacy Association has said “many” of its members have been affected by the supply issues, which Sanofi attributed to “significant external factors,” namely the three strain changes to the 2025-26 vaccine composition and the “late identification of the B strain candidate”.

These factors have “delayed the shipment of the reference strain to manufacturers globally,” said the company, adding that “a separate manufacturing challenge” has also impacted the production of Supemtek TIVr vaccines for the 2026-27 season.

A spokesperson for the manufacturer said: "Sanofi regrets to inform that we are facing supply challenges with Supemtek TIVr influenza vaccines for the 2026/2027 flu season in England. 

“We fully recognise the impact this will have on healthcare providers and the patients they serve, and we sincerely apologise for the disruption this supply challenge causes.”

The Supemtek TIVr vaccine is a recombinant (IIVr) product and has been recommended for reimbursement for use in all eligible adult cohorts in the coming flu vaccination season.

Appointments for NHS flu jabs are available for pregnant women and children aged 2-3 from September 1 and for all other eligible groups from October 1.

A National Pharmacy Association spokesperson told P3pharmacy: “We are concerned by reports there are unexpected changes to the supply of flu vaccine to pharmacies, ahead of the roll out later this year.

"This is frustrating for pharmacies, who have been carefully planning for the flu season to vaccinate as many patients as possible.

"We have raised this urgently with both the manufacturer and NHS England, and we have been reassured that they are working through contingencies to ensure alternatives are available to patients and there is no disruption to supply."

The Dispensing Doctors’ Association has reported that the “batch loss” amounts to two million Sanofi vaccine doses, and that while some DDA members who placed orders early will not be affected others have seen up to 80 per cent of their orders cancelled. 

The news comes just over a month after Viatris said it had made the “difficult decision” to cancel pre-orders for its flu vaccine amid “production challenges,” also citing the World Health Organisation’s update to the recommended vaccine strains.

NHS England, which on August 17 issued a press release urging millions to book their free flu jab, has been approached for comment.