NHS runs out of flu jabs for health staff
Flu jabs for staff at NHS Ayrshire & Arran have been suspended– after bosses ran out of doses.
Health board chiefs blamed “unprecedented demand” after being overrun with requests at the start of their annual campaign. The suspension covers all workers “with the exception of Care at Home staff, Care Home staff and those in our highest priority areas”.
Staff were informed by email that vaccinations have been temporarily cancelled.
The health board blamed the shortage on national problems with the supply of vaccinations.
HR director, Sarah Leslie, said: “This year there has been an unprecedented demand from staff for the flu vaccine and many staff across health and social care have engaged positively, opting to be vaccinated at the start of our campaign. NHS Ayrshire & Arran is currently revising our forecast for demand, and has temporarily paused some aspects of the staff vaccine programme.
“We are working closely with National Procurement to understand when additional supplies may be available in order to plan the next phase of the programme which will run until February 2021.”
Ayr MSP John Scott said: “It’s clear that this is a Scotland- wide issue that needs to be sorted out, but it seems the impact may be particularly acute here in Ayrshire, with vaccinations for NHS Ayrshire & Arran staff being temporarily cancelled.
“This year, of all years, with the double threat of Covid and the flu, local people, including health service staff who have already done so much to protect the public during this pandemic, need to know that they will get access to these vital vaccinations.
“I am urging the Scottish Government to get a grip on this situation and ensure that
an adequate supply of flu vaccine is made available to NHS Ayrshire and Arran and the GPs administering flu jabs .”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We know NHS Scotland boards have seen increased and earlier demand this year for the vaccine from
eligible groups, including health and social care staff. “Boards are responsible for delivering the vaccine this year including managing their allocated vaccine supply in line with demand within their areas.
“The Scottish government has procured sufficient vaccine to vaccinate all those who have been invited to receive the seasonal flu vaccine, in line with uptake planning assumptions of 2.4 million people, and we are working closely with National Services Scotland to ensure that boards can access this stock as required.”