People over 65 years old have also seen their bookings for a flu jab suspended by Boots and Lloyds amid coronavirus fears leading to increased demand. Some NHS GP surgeries have told those waiting for the shot they face a waiting list up to several weeks long. Public Health England guidance has warned a double infection of the flu and COVID-19 in a patient doubles the chance of death. The grave warnings come after coronavirus cases in the UK continue to rise dramatically.
PHE has attempted to massively increase immunisation with 30 million getting the jab, in the largest flu vaccine programme ever undertaken in the UK.
The programme has been opened up to over 50’s this year to make sure more people get the vital treatment.
People aged over 70 and over 65 with health conditions are considered by the Government to be at the most risk from coronavirus.
But the shortage of flu vaccines leaves them more vulnerable as winter approaches, after the Government previously promised they would be prioritised.
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Older people need a special “adjuvanted” vaccine to boost their immune systems, which become weaker with age.
GPs are responsible for ordering their own supply of vaccines from manufacturers in February, along with the Department of Health and Social Care holding an emergency stockpile of jabs.
Pharmacies and GP’s are already running out of their ordered stock, with Lloyds reporting a tenfold demand of jabs.
The Telegraph reports officials are preparing to issue instructions to surgeries on how to receive emergency supplies of the jabs.
But a Government spokesman has reassured Brits there will be enough flu vaccines for the population.
He said to the Telegraph: “Delivery of flu vaccinations is phased over the autumn and into winter, and priority is rightly given to those who are most at risk, with others being asked to wait to later in the year.
“We have sufficient vaccine for up to 30 million people to be vaccinated in England.
“Flu vaccination deliveries for those who are in at-risk groups has started, and will continue in all areas in England throughout the winter months.”
It comes as the UK braces for a second wave of coronavirus to hit in autumn which is expected to last throughout the winter.
Yesterday, the UK reported 4,044 daily new cases and 13 new deaths from the virus.
In total, the country has reported 441,573 cases and 42,090 deaths according to Johns Hopkins University.
On Friday, the UK broke its record for daily lab-confirmed coronavirus cases at 6,874.
