The Ministry of Health is under pressure about whether it misled the country over a lack of flu vaccines this year.

Emails to and from the ministry reveal a number of conversations explicitly discussing low stock levels of flu vaccines, and struggles to fulfil orders.

It's been revealed the ministry knew about the problem and even warned the government.

The emails have been released under an Official Information Act request.

The ministry maintained at the time it was an issue around distribution, not an overall shortage of vaccine.

General Practice Owners Association interim chair Tim Malloy told Mike Hosking they had no doubt there was a problem of distribution of the vaccine.

"We had expectations from our patients which we simply couldn't meet."

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