Access to the flu vaccine is being restricted due to a nationwide shortage.

Just a week into the official flu season, the Ministry of Health says nearly 1.3 million people have had the vaccine - close to the total number of doses given last winter.

Immunisation Advisory Centre director Dr Nikki Turner told Heather du Plessis Allan it was disappointing there was a shortage of the vaccine and some people would miss out.

"We didn't order enough, we used up more than we ordered. That is the bottom line."

Turner says that Pharmac estimates how much of the vaccine is needed based on the previous years records. She admitted they got it wrong this year.

" There was more used this year and there was less brought in by Pharmac and the private market."

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