The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Pensioner must go private for jab
Shortage will see half a million miss out on enhanced flu vaccine
A Perthshire man who was hospitalised twice last winter after flu complications is being forced to go private to get his recommended jab.
A national shortage means half a million elderly people will miss out on the enhanced vaccine through the NHS.
Harold Laing, 74, who contracted pneumonia at the start of this year, will instead pay for his local pharmacy to provide the service.
He said: “It’s privatisation by the back door. I’m a great believer in the National Health Service and this is wrong.”
Ruth Davidson raised Mr Laing’s case at First Minister’s Questions yesterday, stressing the importance of the vaccine after a “dramatic rise” in flu deaths.
The Scottish Conservative leader said: “If Boots can get enough supplies, why can’t NHS Scotland?”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused the Scottish Conservative leader of scaremongering.
Half a million pensioners will be forced to go private or miss out on an enhanced flu jab because of a national shortage, MSPs have been told.
Ruth Davidson said the NHS in Scotland had begun ordering vaccines for this winter’s flu immunisation campaign in the autumn of 2017, before a key expert group published its advice.
When the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) met in November last year, it recommended the new enhanced aTIV flu vaccine should be given to all those aged over 65, the Scottish Conservatives leader told Holyrood during First Minister’s Questions.
But she said: “By that point NHS Scotland had already placed its order for a different product.”
One of those who will miss out is Perthshire pensioner Harold Laing, who was hospitalised twice last winter after flu complications.
He contracted pneumonia at the start of this year and is now being forced to pay his local pharmacy to provide the service.
Former potato and grain merchant Mr Laing, 72, from the Carse of Gowrie, was taken to Perth Royal Infirmary by ambulance on January 1 before being released a few days later.
His condition worsened, however, and he was diagnosed with pneumonia after being readmitted.
Mr Laing said: “I was really worried. After the GP in Perth said the enhanced immunity one wasn’t available I made an inquiry with some of the pharmacies. I can get it there but will have to pay.
“It’s privatisation by the back door. Over the years I have paid massive taxes. There is a vaccine available, you just have to go and pay for it.
“Some people won’t be able to pay for it. I don’t know how much it will be but if it will give me the help I need, I will go for it. I’m a great believer in the National Health Service and this is wrong.”
Ms Davidson stressed the importance of the vaccine after a “dramatic rise” in flu deaths. The virus killed 331 people in the first three months of 2018 – an increase of 360% from the 72 deaths that were recorded in the first quarter last year.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused Ms Davidson of scaremongering during the Holyrood encounter.
The enhanced vaccine is being offered free to all those aged 75 and over in Scotland, but Ms Davidson voiced concern that meant 500,000 people aged between 65 and 74 may not have enough protection as a result.
She pressed Ms Sturgeon on the issue at First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood, demanding: “If Boots can get enough supplies, why can’t NHS Scotland?”
Ms Sturgeon told her: “The vaccine offered to 65 to 74-year-olds this winter still provides full flu protection. I think that is an important point of assurance to make to all people across the country.”
People aged 75 and above are being “prioritised” for the enhanced vaccine based on the advice of the expert JCVI, she added.
The SNP leader went on to claim the system in Scotland, where vaccine supplies were bought in centrally by the NHS, was “considerably better” than south of the border, where GP practices were left to purchase their own stocks.
And she said the new vaccine was manufactured by a single supplier who had to significantly ramp up production for the whole of the UK.
But Ms Davidson said: “Last week the manufacturer of the new drug confirmed sufficient supply of flu vaccine for this season, and they stated the only customers that were missing out are those who ordered late.”