Why have flu jabs become a postcode lottery?

SIR – It is a little sweeping to say that the NHS has “failed” to vaccinate people against the Japanese flu strain (report, January 19).

Here in the wilds of Doncaster, my husband and I (both over 65) strolled into our village pharmacy and were given the quadrivalent vaccine courtesy of the NHS.

I am grateful to be covered by a Clinical Commissioning Group that is making sensible decisions and realises that the extra £3 is likely to be cheap at the price. However, I doubt it is the only CCG in the country to come to this decision.

It would be interesting to know why there appears to be a postcode lottery, and where exactly Public Health England stands on the issue. Jenny Furness

Doncaster, South Yorkshire SIR – Lucky are those who are able to have a flu jab of any quality. The NHS has decided to discontinue Optaflu, which is the only option for those of us with an egg allergy.

Why – apart from cost? Linda Boyd

Leigh, Kent

SIR – We could protect ourselves and others from colds and flu if only we were able to buy face masks designed for the purpose from our local chemist.

My inquiries were met with strange looks, but a promise was made to order a mask specially for me. Later, however, I was told that they had tried to acquire one – without success. Eileen Cullen

Wendover, Buckinghamshire