GPS fear rush for flu jabs will leave vulnerable patients unprotected

GENERAL practitioners say they are being “overwhelmed” by demand for flu vaccines and fear not everyone who wants to be immunised will get one.

The Welsh Government launched its largest ever flu vaccination programme earlier this year with more people eligible for a free jab or nasal spray than ever before.

Alongside supporting existing eligible groups – including over-65s, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions – the programme has lowered the eligibility age from 65 to anyone over 50.

This year, with the potential for “co-circulation” of coronavirus and flu, eligible people are being encouraged to take up their flu vaccine to protect themselves, their families, communities and the NHS.

But according to the Dyfed-powys Local Medical Committee, among others, there has been a huge surge in demand for the vaccine already in GP surgeries. They also claim that orders for flu vaccinations needed to be made last January – before the pandemic.

A spokeswoman for the committee said: “Each year the Chief Medical Officer identifies the priority groups for vaccination – the over65s, those with certain long-term health conditions, and children.

“In response GP practices in Powys plan a military-style operation to deliver flu vaccinations to their vulnerable patients. This starts in January each year when an order is placed for the vaccinations required the following autumn.

Latest figures show that community pharmacy flu vaccinations were 10 times the level this September compared to September 2019 with 16,323 vaccinations delivered this year compared to 1,652 in the same month last year.