Patients and GPs are frustrated by a shortage of the new flu vaccine for over 65s but the final delivery batch will arrive on Sunday.
NHS England said there would be enough vaccines for everyone this winter, but delivery delays of the vaccine has meant some older patients will not be able to get vaccinated.
Older patients are advised to get the flu jab by early December as it gives time for protection before the flu starts circulating. Nearly 70% of 650 GPs said there had been a shortage of this flu vaccine at their practice, this means they could not have vaccinated as many of the elderly as they hoped. Some GPs said that they had to cancel appointments.
An NHS England spokesperson said this week “100% of vaccines will have been delivered by the manufacturer to those surgeries and pharmacists who placed an order on time”.
“So, the public can be assured that there is sufficient supply of the vaccine in stock for everyone to get protected ahead of winter.”
All about the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is available every year on the NHS to help protect adults and children at risk of the flu and its complications. The flu can be more severe in people such as:
- Anyone aged 65 and over
- Pregnant women
- Children and adults with underlying health conditions such as long-term heart or respiratory disease
- Children and adults with weak immune systems.
Anyone in this risk group should have the vaccination every year to stop the chances of developing serious complications such as pneumonia.
Who should get the vaccine?
The flu vaccine is routinely given on the NHS to:
- Adults aged 65 and over
- People with certain medical conditions including children in at risk groups from 6 months of age
- Pregnant women
- Children aged 2 and 3
- Children in reception classes and school year 1,2,3,4, and 5
If a child is aged between 6 months and 2 years, they are at high risk, so they will be given a injected flu jab.
Where to get your vaccine
You can get your NHS vaccine at:
- Your GP surgery
- A local pharmacy offering the service
- Your midwifery service if offered to pregnant women.
Side effects
It is very rare to have serious side effects from the flu jab, but you will experience a mild fever and aching muscles for a couple of days after having the vaccine. If you have the nasal spray vaccine may commonly include a runny or blocked nose, headache, tiredness and some loss of appetite.
