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Flu vaccine supplies

33 replies

MRex · 20/09/2020 15:22

Does anyone know if it is a temporary shortage, or just a factor of the extra time to distribute roll out vaccines while adhering to covid guidelines?

OP posts:
SospanFrangipan · 20/09/2020 15:30

I've not heard anything, I work for a private healthcare company and our clinics start mid-October which is normal timing for us.

Bol87 · 20/09/2020 15:32

I booked mine on Friday, had it Saturday. I know a fair few people who are eligible, all had it recently? My OH & Dad were able to get a private one this weekend as well..

GPS in my areas have been doing drive throughs if they have decent size car parks. You stick your arm out the window and jab. I thought it was brilliant. No more sitting in germy doctors waiting rooms!

Fyzz · 20/09/2020 15:34

I had mine last week at Lloyd's pharmacy. I imagine there will be a higher demand this year.

MRex · 20/09/2020 15:36

Ok. Boots don't seem to be doing under-65s bookings right now and we've had nothing through for the toddler nor asthmatic DH, so I wondered if there was an issue. Clearly only round here!

OP posts:
Ilikewinter · 20/09/2020 15:38

Boots halted the pre booking and any walk ins of the vaccine until after 28th September due to the demand, you should be able to book for any date after that though.

1990shopefulftm · 20/09/2020 15:39

Got one at my gp's on wednesday straight after a midwife appointment with no waiting time, they do it stood up where possible so literally took a minute quickest vaccine I've ever had done.

user1471530109 · 20/09/2020 15:40

I'm eligible and haven't heard anything from my GP and nothing is in their website. I've tried doing an online booking and nothing there at all. I'd ring up but we are actively encouraged bit too Hmm.
The DC have been given appts for school nasal spray for December! Which seems ridiculously far into the future and much later than last year.

MRex · 20/09/2020 15:40

@Ilikewinter - I have an appointment, I was just wondering if I should try to swap it to DH (NHS eligible) if there is a shortage.

OP posts:
Etinox · 20/09/2020 15:41

I noticed Morrison’s is doing it for £8!
I’d called my GP because the new rule is over 50s but they’re prioritising older and more vulnerable patients but I think I’ll pay £8 rather than wait and take the time and risk of going to the surgery.

Moondust001 · 20/09/2020 15:42

There is definitely a "shortage" - the inverted comma's are based on the fact that it may or may not be a shortage. I know that sounds odd, but the fact is that:
(a) even in developed nations, many people who can or should have the flue vaccine do not take it up (in my area, for example, take up by those entitled to it under the NHS is less that 70%)
(b) all countries across the globe have increased their orders for the vaccine massively.

Flu vaccine orders for the winter season are usually placed in January - March, so that the companies producing the vaccine can set in place the capacity to meet the orders. However, that capacity is impacted upon by two things - the shelf life of the flu vaccine is at most nine months, so it is impossible to stockpile, and the need to manufacture the right "viral mix" which means that you can't start manufacturing it until you know what the most likely strains of flu that winter are going to be.

My understanding is that most companies producing the vaccine have increased production, but that some are only able to produce about 20% more than normal. If there is a higher demand / take-up, that will lead to shortages. Although it has not been explicitly stated, I assume that is why the government, having initially said that they would vaccinate everyone over 50, has now downgraded that offer to "everyone over 50, later in the year, if there are supplies left".

Meredusoleil · 20/09/2020 15:43

I got mine done on Friday at Boots. Booked it way back in August. Do have to pay though!

Getbettersoon · 20/09/2020 15:46

Our school nurse vaccination team is coming to do the children this week. They usually offer to do the adults who want it for a reduced price while they're there, but this year, have received no adult vaccine and haven't got the paperwork agreed to enable them to administer it even if they did . They haven't been told why that is.

DamitJanet · 20/09/2020 16:01

I had mine done in Boots, I am in a NHS eligible group though. My GP surgery are only giving it to the over 65s at the moment.

MadisonAvenue · 20/09/2020 16:14

I’m eligible for it and up until last year had usually had it by the beginning of October at the latest. I phoned my surgery at the end of August to enquire and was told to call back in two weeks, when I did I was told to call back the following week and that time I was told that they have no idea when they’re getting the vaccine for under 65s but are thinking it’ll be late October/early November by the time they’ve got it and have been able to arrange the clinics and will put it on the website when they have a firm date.

It was the same last year, the vaccine for the over 65s (which they’ve been running weekend clinics for over the last three weekends) was in weeks before the one for under 65s. It’s seems a bit of a strange way of doing it because the under 65s are the ones more likely to come into contact though work, commuting, schools etc.

Getbettersoon · 20/09/2020 16:16

Why is the vaccine different for over 65s?

MayFayre · 20/09/2020 16:29

I booked mine at a local independent pharmacy and will pay for it. When I booked they mentioned in conversation that they’d run out of the over 65s vaccine.

Meredusoleil · 20/09/2020 16:31

@Getbettersoon

Why is the vaccine different for over 65s?
I was told at my appointment on Friday that its because their immune systems aren't as strong, which is why they only have 3 strains whereas we under 65s have 4 strains in the vaccine.
MRex · 20/09/2020 16:31

The vaccine is a slightly different one for different age groups: vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/vk/inactivated-flu-vaccine.
That's why I wondered about the delays; feasibly it could be process while keeping distance, or manufacturers could be delayed creating more over-65 before starting the other types.

Thanks @Moondust001 - I'm breastfeeding and had pneumonia from a previous flu, so I was hoping to get mine before DS has his as the toddler version is live, but I don't want to take away from others who need it more. Any idea how constrained availability is likely to be?

OP posts:
user1471530109 · 20/09/2020 16:36

OP, I've just booked one with Tesco. Couldn't with Boots as only for over 65s and that's the same with GP according to NHS website...
It's still an NHS flu jab so I won't pay as I'm eligible (I'm happy to pay though).

MRex · 20/09/2020 16:37

Hmmm. It sounds like a distribution issue more than an actual shortage then?

OP posts:
CalmYoBadSelf · 20/09/2020 16:40

Our surgery said they haven't got the supply in yet but that is perfectly normal. I have an appointment early October which is about normal and they are doing all the over 65s and priority patients then restarting on the 50-65's

EdithWeston · 20/09/2020 16:53

Our GP is about to start the normal eligibility flu jabs

Those added this year (over 50s who do not otherwise qualify) won't be able to book until November, to give the medically vulnerable the chance to go first

Murinae · 20/09/2020 16:59

I couldn’t book with boots but our local pharmacy had loads of appointments available

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 20/09/2020 17:04

Booked with Boots about 3 weeks ago. First appointment I could get was early October.

utterlynutty · 20/09/2020 18:01

Our GP surgery is starting the flu vaccine from next month starting with the over 65s and those in high risk categories.The flu clinics will be as a drive through facility in the car park at a local school(clinics will be on a weekend).

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