Doctors 'prioritising' winter flu jabs, claims prof
GP surgeries are prioritising who gets the winter flu jab – with those aged 50 to 64 needing to wait – a doctors’ leader says.
R oya l C o l l ege o f G Ps chairman, Prof Martin Mars h a l l u r ge d p e o p l e t o "s i t t i g ht" a n d s tre s s e d i t wa s important that all those eligible for the flu jab came forward when told to do so.
In July, the Government announced it was aiming to double its winter flu vaccination programme in England to 30 million people - including free jabs for anyone aged 50 and over.
But Pro f M a r s h a l l s a i d th o s e a ge d 5 0 to 6 4 c ou l d have to wait for their vaccine as older age groups and atrisk groups are prioritised.
He said: "This is a significant problem.
"It does seem to be a greater demand than there are supplies.
"What we're doing in general practice is prioritising those in greatest need.
"That means people over th e a ge o f 6 5, p e o p l e wh o have long-term health problems, pregnant women and young children.
"So the new group of people that we want to vaccinate as a consequence of the covid c r i s i s , wh ic h i s m o s tl y people between the age of 50 and 64, are going to have those vaccinations delayed until the supplies are available."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: "There is no national shortage of the flu vaccine.
"It is currently available in pharmacies and GPs and it is wrong to suggest otherwise.
"There are enough doses for 30 million people. The vaccine is already being delivered for those in at-risk groups, including the over65s, and this will continue."