Hewitt admits flu vaccine shortage
An upsurge in demand for flu vaccines this winter has led to stocks in the NHS running out already, the government has admitted.
The Department of Health (DoH) is now directing GPs to use their remaining vaccines on patients at high risk of catching flu, such as the elderly or those with respiratory diseases.
Health secretary Patricia Hewitt told MPs this afternoon that “responsibility for ordering and administering the vaccine has always fallen on GPs”, but news of the shortage is embarrassing to ministers, who earlier this year promised such a situation would not occur.
“This year’s estimated production total from all UK vaccine manufacturers was 14 million, more than ever before and sufficient to immunise 100 per cent of the target at-risk [groups],” Ms Hewitt said.
“However, demand for vaccines has been higher this year due to concerns about bird flu and Asian influenza.
“We need to ensure now that GPs prioritise existing stock to those who need it most – those aged 65 and over or with serious health conditions.”
The government would be releasing an additional 200,000 doses from its “contingency store”, she added, which would be delivered in January and administered to those on approved lists.
DoH head of immunisation David Salisbury has also written to doctors telling them that they should no longer order flu vaccine stocks direct from suppliers and that the remaining stocks should be used wisely.
It is unclear exactly where the vaccine has gone, whether it has been administered to the ‘worried well’, whether some practices have good stocks, or whether there was a miscalculation in the number of doses needed.
“We will have no contingency stocks left in the next few days,” said Dr Salisbury. “Undoubtedly many more people than usual have come forward for vaccination because the profile of flu has been raised over the risk of pandemic flu and over avian flu.”
Laurence Buckman, the deputy chairman of the British Medical Association GPs committee, said that the situation was unacceptable.
“Patients will feel they have been let down.” Dr Buckman said. “The government’s flu campaign is designed to protect the old and the sick in advance of the flu season.
“GPs were told that there would be enough vaccine and now it seems this is not the case. There is no evidence that family doctors have been using the flu vaccine inappropriately.
“While some practices have had sufficient vaccine, others will currently have to turn eligible patients away. This is unacceptable.”
Speaking this afternoon, Lib Dem health spokesman Steve Webb said the promise of more supplies in January “is simply not enough”.
He added: “Winter flu kills over 10,000 people a year. Gaps in coverage among vulnerable groups could be a matter of life or death.”
