GP surgeries in England cancel flu jabs amid shortage of vaccine

[helvella]

This is intended as a general warning - not a discussion. For that reason, I shall close the post to replying.

The article says they do not know if this is, or will, affect Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

GP surgeries in England cancel flu jabs amid shortage of vaccine

Vaccine maker Seqirus wrote to GPs warning of delays from ‘unforeseen road freight challenges’

GP surgeries are being forced to cancel appointments for the winter flu jab after the NHS’s biggest provider warned that it could not deliver supplies for up to two weeks due to “unforeseen road freight challenges”.

Practices in England have begun contacting patients to postpone their immunisation without being able to rebook them at a later date. The problem emerged on Friday when vaccine maker Seqirus wrote to surgeries alerting them to the possibility of having to rearrange booked appointments.

“We would like to inform you that due to unforeseen road freight challenges there will be a delay to your scheduled delivery by one to two weeks,” the firm said.

“We realise that this unfortunate change could require you to reschedule planned influenza vaccination clinics and would like to reassure you that we are working hard to allow you to plan with certainty.”

It added: “Please do not book any clinics until you have received [a] delivery note from us [a week before planned delivery].”

The letter did not explain whether the delays were related to the continuing shortage of lorry drivers that has led to supermarkets running out of certain goods and fast food outlets having to close as they are unable to serve signature dishes.

It is unclear how much disruption the firm’s inability to deliver vaccines to GP surgeries will have on the NHS’s flu vaccination campaign, which is due to be the largest yet, with more groups than ever eligible for a free jab.

Ministers and NHS bosses want as many people as possible to have their jab, to help protect the NHS at a time when Covid is likely to again be resurgent.

Rest of article available here:

theguardian.com/society/202...