Practices postpone flu jabs for over-65s due to a shortage of vaccines

TWO GP practices in Co Antrim are experiencing a shortage of flu jabs, with one forced to cancel appointments for over-65s planned for this weekend.

Ballymoney Family Practice had initially notified eligible patients aged 65 and over by letter asking them to attend a flu vaccination clinic on Saturday.

Due to a shortage in vaccines, however, those affected will now have to wait until late next month.

A second GP practice in Randalstown yesterday warned that they may have to temporarily turn away over-65s waiting for the flu jab due to a delay in supply.

The development comes as health chiefs had previously admitted to some “logistical issues” in the roll-out of a new vaccine UK-wide for over-65s, raising concerns of a potential shortage in supply last month.

The situation resulted in Ballymoney Family Practice apologising for “any inconvenience caused”, but added the situation is “out of our control” in an announcement made on its website.

“Due to a shortage in the vaccine the practice does not currently have any stock to run with this clinic and we do not envisage having stock until at least November,” it said.

The message advises affected over-65 patients to attend another planned clinic on November 24, adding that those under 65 at risk and pre-school children should attend the clinic “as normal on the planned date”.

Ballymoney Family Practice declined to comment further when contacted by the Belfast Telegraph yesterday.

Meanwhile, Randalstown Medical Practice was forced to operate a flu clinic on a first come, first serve basis for over65s up to the age of 74 last night.

The GP surgery said it had a limited quantity of vaccines left as it had not yet received its latest supply.

“There has been a shortage this year for the over-65s with the new flu jab. This is the first year and that tends to happen,” the practice said.

“Our September quota is nearly exhausted and our October supply hasn’t arrived yet.

“We may have to turn folk away.”

The practice, however, stressed that it was confident the supply issue would be resolved quickly, adding it had received no negative feedback from patients.

“We’ve been largely unaffected. We’re expecting more vaccines soon,” it explained.

The first-come, first-serve clinic coincided with the Public Health Agency’s (PHA) publicity drive, which was launched yesterday to urge all adults eligible for the flu jab to avail of the free service at GPs across Northern Ireland.

Last year, seasonal flu activity was the highest seen here since the 2009 pandemic, with 22 confirmed influenza deaths recorded.

In total, there were 119 flu cases in hospital intensive care and high dependency units.

This was more than twice the previous year.

In response to actions taken by the GP surgeries, the PHA has defended its implementation of this year’s regional flu vaccination programme, emphasising that vaccination supplies are in place.

“There have been concerns over a perceived shortage of this flu vaccine,” the PHA said.

“There will be enough vaccine to ensure that everyone aged over 65 who wishes to be vaccinated will be vaccinated by the end of November.”

The new vaccine, which is the “best available” to protect older people from the flu according to the PHA, is being delivered on a monthly basis until November due to production capacity, the health body added.

“This means GP surgeries may have to adapt their flu clinic arrangements to take account of this,” the PHA added.

“We acknowledge that this may present logistical issues for some, and practices were informed in advance... of the potential need to alter their usual clinic arrangements.”

The PHA is urging those eligible for the flu jab to receive it by early December as it takes around two weeks for it to reach “maximum” effectiveness.

To wait until flu is widespread “maybe too late”, it warned.

❝ Our September quota is nearly exhausted ... and our October supply has not arrived yet