This article was taken from: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/07/18/nhs-flu-jabs-delayed-amid-scramble-keep-aussie-strain/

By Laura Donnelly, health editor

The NHS is scrambling to get hold of the right flu jabs in time for this winter, amid fears millions of Britons will not be protected against a deadly “Aussie” strain.

Health officials say delays by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in selecting the vaccine for this winter mean that some jabs will not be delivered to GP practices until the end of November.

Normally flu vaccinations are offered by the NHS from September.

In a letter, seen by The Telegraph, health officials urge GPs and pharmacists to check when their stocks will be delivered.

They said manufacturers have warned that the lateness of the WHO’s decision will mean some vaccine supplies arrive later than normal.

The WHO typically makes its recommendations about which strains of flu to protect against in February. But this year it delayed a decision on one strain – H3N2 – for a month, in a bid to adjust to mutations in the key strains in circulation.

Since then the virus has proved dominant in Australia, which is currently experiencing one of the worst flu seasons on record.

The country, which is now in the height of winter, has already had three times as many deaths as in the whole season last year, with around eight times as many laboratory confirmed cases as normal.

NHS officials hope that the jabs will arrive ahead of the UK’s flu season, which typically starts in December.

But this year Australia has experienced one of its earliest flu seasons in its history.

The delays to NHS jabs affect the “quadrivalent” jabs used for pregnant women and adults with health problems, such as asthma or diabetes.

Other types of vaccinations are offered to those aged 65 and over, using a boost designed to improve immune response, while children are given vaccination via nasal spray.

The letter from Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at Public Health England, and Deborah Tomalin, director of public health commissioning and operations at NHS England, has been sent to all GPs and community pharmacists in England.

Why is the NHS under so much pressure?

An ageing population. There are one million more people over the age of 65 than five years ago. This has caused a surge in demand for medical care
Cuts to budgets for social care. While the NHS budget has been protected, social services for home helps and other care have fallen by 11 per cent in five years. This has caused record levels of “bedblocking”; people with no medical need to be in hospital are stuck there because they can’t be supported at home
Staff shortages. While hospital doctor and nurse numbers have risen over the last decade, they have not kept pace with the rise in demand. Meanwhile 2016 saw record numbers of GP practices close, displacing patients on to A&E departments as they seek medical advice
Lifestyle factors. Drinking too much alcohol, smoking, a poor diet with not enough fruit and vegetables and not doing enough exercise are all major reasons for becoming unwell and needing to rely on our health services. Growing numbers of overweight children show this problem is currently set to continue

It says the WHO’s delayed recommendations – “in response to a recent increase in the proportion of viruses detected which would not be effectively dealt with by its existing vaccine strains” – are now set to have knock-on effects across the NHS.

“We understand from manufacturers that the delayed WHO recommendation on vaccine strain has had an impact on their vaccine supply.

Sanofi Pasteur have indicated they plan to phase some of the deliveries of the inactivated Quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIV) for those at risk and under 65 years, with some vaccines being delivered by the end of November ahead of when the flu season usually starts.”

The drugs giant is one of four companies which will be isusing vaccines this year.

Alll GPs are now being urged to contact manufacturers to check when stocks will be delivered, in order to plan scheduling of appointments.

The disclosures come amid growing concern about how the NHS will cope this winter.

Last month 471 NHS patients waited for at least 12 hours on a trolley after arrival at Accident and Emergency departments. In June 2012 just two patients waited this long.

Age UK’s advice to pensioners | How to protect yourself during winter

Have a flu vaccination every year – the new vaccine introduced this year for people 65+ has an agent which helps boost the immune system and helps fight illnesses.
There is also a pneumonia vaccine – find out if you’re eligible when you have your flu jab.
Keep your hands clean – good hand hygiene helps stop infections spreading.
Keep simple cold and sore throat remedies in your medicine cabinet to treat minor illnesses when they strike. Your local pharmacist can give advice on treatments.
Wrap up when you go outside in the cold – use multiple layers and keep hands, feet and face warm and covered with scarves, gloves and thick socks.
Eat well – make sure you eat at least one hot meal every day, hot drinks throughout the day to keep up energy levels.
Keep warm to stay well – your living room temperature to 21 degrees and your bedroom temperature to 18 degrees and take particular care if you are going from a warm environment into the cold.
Keep moving – try not to sit still for more than one hour at a time even if you just move your arms and legs. If you can stay active, not only will it keep you fit and healthy, it will also generate heat to keep you warmer.

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NHS flu jabs delayed amid scramble to keep up with ‘Aussie’ strain

The NHS is scrambling to get hold of the right flu jabs in time for this winter, amid fears millions of Britons will not be protected against a deadly “Aussie” strain.

Why is the NHS under so much pressure?

Age UK’s advice to pensioners | How to protect yourself during winter

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