NHS warning over shortage of f lu jabs
THE NHS could fail to deliver enough flu jabs to all eligible Scots this winter, health chiefs say.
A Scottish NHS board has said its flu vaccination programme is at ‘very high risk’ of not being fulfilled.
The Scottish Government is finalising plans to make the jab available to more people this winter, potentially anyone over 50, in preparation for a possible second wave of Covid-19.
In official documents NHS Lanarkshire warns that Covidrelated anxiety and increased awareness among the public could lead to a surge in requests for the jab, even beyond those added to the eligibility criteria.
The board also raises concerns about staffing and the ability to vaccinate safely, taking into account social distancing requirements. It said the appointment system would require to be ‘outsourced’. The problem is disclosed in NHS Lanarkshire’s latest emergency planning update.
At present, people with a health condition, those over 65 years old, pregnant women, healthcare workers and carers are eligible for the flu vaccine in Scotland – along with primary school children and children with a health condition, who will be offered the vaccine from six months of age.
But the Government is examining proposals to extend the eligible groups to the over-50s and S1 pupils as well as those who are shielding.
NHS Lanarkshire states: ‘There is a risk that NHS Lanarkshire will not be able to fully deliver the influenza vaccination programme due to a range of contributing factors.
‘These factors have the potential to adversely impact on population health and avoidance of hospital admissions during the winter period.’
It adds that the risk of not fully delivering a flu vaccination programme is ‘very high’.
It continues: ‘There is a risk that the existing resources in community and primary care – both physical footprint and resources – will be overwhelmed by observing social distancing whilst standing up services which involve significant numbers of people all requiring face to face consultation.
‘Examples would include 100,000 flu vaccinations in an eight-week window.’
Scottish Labour health and social care spokesman Monica Lennon said: ‘NHS Lanarkshire’s cry for help on flu preparedness is extremely alarming. We must be prepared for a double pandemic, and these papers are a massive wake-up call to ministers. If our NHS doesn’t have the resources it needs to vaccinate people we could see flu-related illnesses rocket. I have written to [Health Secretary] Jeane Freeman asking for an urgent response.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Planning is under way with Public Health Scotland and NHS health boards for this year’s seasonal flu vaccination and we are committed to supporting boards to ensure they can deliver it.’
Dr David Cromie, consultant in public health medicine for NHS Lanarkshire, said: ‘The Government has signalled to NHS boards a number of likely changes to the adult flu programme for 2020/21. We expect a [Chief Medical Officer] letter to clarify and formalise the adult flu programme imminently.’
‘Extremely alarming’