Gloucestershire GPs run out of flu vaccine
GP surgeries have run out of the seasonal flu vaccine.
More than 1,000 appointments have been cancelled across Cheltenham after six surgeries ran out of vaccines, NHS Gloucestershire confirmed.
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Flu vaccination
It comes just weeks into a campaign to get more people to have the jab.
Peter Badham, who owns four pharmacies in Cheltenham, said he would be taking the pressure off the surgeries by getting in extra supplies by Tuesday.
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He said: "It is ridiculous that it has come to this.
"It is not the fault of the doctors who are doing their best but for one reason or another we are able to get supplies in by Tuesday and we will be helping the most critical cases first.
"I understand more than 1,000 appointments have already been cancelled because the surgeries have run out and we will happily advise people if they would like to call us or pop into one of our stores.
"One critical case involved a pregnant woman who can only have her shot next week before it is too late and she is not allowed because of her condition. We will try and treat people like her first and do what we can for the rest until the surgeries are restocked."
Former borough councillor for St Paul's, Paul Wheeldon, said his mother had tried to get the vaccine from her doctor's surgery in Bishop's Cleeve, but was told they would not be restocked until November. He said: "There are a lot of vulnerable people who are going to be worried about this because the flu virus becomes a lot more prevalent at the end of October so if they have to wait until November, there is a window for them to be infected.
"Both my parents are in their 70s and the NHS classes them as vulnerable, saying they and others like them should have the flu vaccine as soon as possible.
"Let us hope that they can restock quicker than November because at the moment there will be a lot at risk."
NHS Gloucestershire launched its flu vaccine campaign in September, urging patients to book their jabs as soon as possible. The PCT has not been able to confirm exactly when the new supplies will be available.
Caryn Cox, public health consultant at NHS Gloucestershire, said: "The flu campaign in Gloucestershire has got off to a really positive start, with lots of people requesting the vaccination from their GP practice. A few practices in Cheltenham are currently waiting for additional supplies of the vaccination to arrive, which means that some of the planned clinics may have to be rescheduled.
"Practices will inform their patients where this is the case. There will be plenty of supplies available soon, to ensure that all eligible people in Gloucestershire can have their jab."
Comments
by FreeRadical1
Saturday, October 06 2012, 3:04PM
“It looks to be a problem in the supply chain. If a surgery orders a certain number of doses, and they don't turn up on time, then appointments have to be cancelled. I don't think that surgeries store vaccines, so they wouldn't know there was a problem till they were almost out of stock. I bet that it's not that easy to source vaccines from another supplier.”
by Soft Data Internet Limited
Saturday, October 06 2012, 11:42AM
“My mother in law has just had hers at Stroud hospital, so no shortage there.”
by Toast77
Saturday, October 06 2012, 11:17AM
“Hi 2ladybugs. A lot of it is wrong, speaking from my personal experience, yes, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered to comment. It's important that people get their flu jabs and the CORRECT information is out there.
There has been a failure of supply from some companies, as I said. Thought it was clear. Apologies if it isn't clear. You can't run out of something if you didn't have it in the first place.
No idea where Peter Badham gets his information from. Can only speak from my own experience.
Individual GP surgeries order their own flu vaccines from their own suppliers. Some have been let down by their suppliers but should be able to order more, hence the rescheduling of appointments.”
by spindles12
Saturday, October 06 2012, 10:42AM
“I had my flu jab this morning after making an appointment as I am in at at risk group. Luckily I got there about ten minutes early and even by then the queue was outside the surgery main door, the rest of it was snaking around in a long line inside. It was like a factory production line with all the rooms being used with a quick in, injection and out and no questions asked about whether you were allergic to eggs or had any illness at the time, just advice that there could be a red mark and soreness. I had been told that there were only two days allocated for injections, last Saturday and this Saturday so if you couldn't make it on either of those days I suppose you went without. In spite of the crowds, my appointment was 9.55 and I was out by 10.05!”
by Lecorche
Saturday, October 06 2012, 9:51AM
“If you're worried about it and can't wait,Tesco do the Flu Jab for a tenner and Asda do it for £7.”
by 2ladybugs
Saturday, October 06 2012, 9:31AM
“@MichaelAH It appears that your surgery does seem to be a lot more organised than others, and I don't just mean in Cheltenham. :((”
by Michael_AH
Saturday, October 06 2012, 9:22AM
“my surgery contacts all patients entitled to a free jab lets them know when the flu clinic is, and what time to turn up, and asks that you contact them if you don't want the jab. They know in advance exactly how many patients are entitled to a free jab, so were able to have sufficient stock in for last weekends clinic. But then, they aren't in Cheltenham”
by 2ladybugs
Saturday, October 06 2012, 9:02AM
“Actually Toast77 Your comment is even more disturbing because if the jabs only start in October and it is only the 6th today how come there is already this problem?”
by 2ladybugs
Saturday, October 06 2012, 8:52AM
“So in other words Toast77 you are saying that the whole of this report is wrong.
a) It says that GP surgeries have run-out of flu vaccine.
b) Peter Badham :I understand more than 1,000 appointments have already been cancelled because the surgeries have run out ...
c)Former borough councillor for St Paul's:"Let us hope that they can restock quicker than November........
d)NHS Gloucestershire: The PCT has not been able to confirm exactly when the new supplies will be available.”
by Toast77
Saturday, October 06 2012, 7:58AM
“No-one's "run out" of vaccine. In most surgeries flu vaccinations don't even start until October. Some vaccine suppliers have been unable to fulfil their orders because of manufacturing failures but sensible GPs will source vaccines from other suppliers.
Appointments will be rescheduled, not cancelled. FREE vaccines should be available to patients from their doctors surgeries as usual to everyone aged 65 and over and those in "at risk" groups including children and pregnant women.”