Flu jabs hit by supply issues as pharmacies fear postcode lottery

Those eligible for free NHS vaccine must take priority, say health chiefs, as stocks start to run out

A SURGE in demand for flu jabs has caused some pharmacies to run out of stock, as a member of the Government’s vaccine committee warned private patients should not be prioritised.

Deaths from the virus could top 60,000, the worst rate in 50 years, after prolonged social distancing left Britons with little immunity, health chiefs warned yesterday.

More than 35 million people are now eligible for a free jab on the NHS after a significant expansion to the scheme – which includes all over-50s – but private patients can also pay for the jab through a pharmacy.

Boots said 300 bookings were made every minute via its online portal yesterday, but patients reported being turned away from other pharmacies after stocks had run dry.

Wendy Barclay, professor of virology at Imperial College London and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, said yesterday that those not in an at-risk group should take the jab to protect elderly relatives.

But Prof Anthony Harnden, deputy chairman of the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), said the eligible groups set out by the committee should be prioritised.

“From a JCVI perspective, the groups that we’ve outlined should receive priority and the people outside those risk groups who can pay … really shouldn’t take preference over those priority groups,” he said. It comes after GPS were forced to cancel or postpone some appointments last month after delays from the UK’S largest supplier of flu jabs, Seqirus.

The company said the delays were due to “unforeseen road freight challenges”, but added yesterday that the issues were “not linked to Brexit”.

Pharmacy associations warned last night that a postcode lottery in supply was starting to emerge.

Alastair Buxton, director of NHS Services at the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, said: “We are seeing some regional variation where stocks have run low and run out in some cases due to a surge in demand.”

Mark Burdon, a pharmacist in north east England who runs five branches, said his entire stock – which was intended to last for the flu season – had run out in two weeks, despite ordering 50 per cent more than last year.

Paul Fortescue, 67, said his Superdrug pharmacy in Camberley, Surrey, had run out of doses for over-65s.

Superdrug said a “high proportion” of its pharmacies have flu vaccinations in stock. It is understood some branches must wait for deliveries of doses that are suitable for different patient cohorts.

Jasmine Shah, the National Pharmacy Association’s head of pharmacy services, said: “If your pharmacy can’t vaccinate you immediately then keep in touch with them so you can get the jab as soon as stock becomes available.”

Prof Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of GPS, said: “We are hearing that some practices are experiencing issues with flu vaccine supply.

He added GPS need the supply chain to “run like clockwork”.