Thousands of Mexican flu vaccines could be wasted because the Dutch Vaccine Institute is unable to distribute specific quantities to health clinics and organisations, such as old aged people’s homes.

The vaccines are only packaged in boxes of 100, but small organisations do not always need this many. An estimated 10 to 15 percent of health organisations which need to be able to vaccinate health workers and people at high-risk against the A(H1N1) virus do not need large quantities. The Health Ministry says the boxes cannot be opened because then the guarantee will no longer be valid.

Health clinics and organisations which need fewer than 75 vaccines have been asked to share their supplies, but even then there will be vaccines left over. The vaccines cannot be returned so many will be wasted.