Jesmond has been hit by a shortage of a potentially life-saving new flu vaccine, as the worst of the flu season approaches.

FLUAD is a vaccine for those 65 and older which is said to offer the best protection yet against the infection. But there are problems nationwide with getting supplies, and Jesmond is no exception.

Flu vaccinations nationwide usually begin in late September or early October, but some elderly people could be waiting until the end of November to get their jabs.

The NHS says there has been a deliberately phased delivery of the vaccine to match the demand and uptake rates seen last year, but medical professionals have told JesmondLocal they are concerned abou the delay in roll out.

The vaccine takes about two weeks to become effective, which would delay protection against the infection until mid-December, when the flu season will be well underway.

JesmondLocal approached several pharmacies and GP surgeries and found an apparent reluctance to talk on the record, but heard multiple accounts of delays in getting FLUAD.

One medical practice acknowledged that its next supply was not arriving until the end of November and that the practice manager would not be able to discuss the situation until December.

Another medical practice’s website notes that injections for those under 65 began in early October, but for those 65-and-above, “You will be contacted via post when your vaccination is available. There will be NO open flu clinics for over 65s until November 2018.”

A pharmacist, who asked not to be identified, said the next supply was scheduled to arrive at the pharmacy in the second week of November. A number of “dissatisfied” customers had already been turned away after asking for the flu jab. “But I have them booked in for November, and as soon as the vaccine becomes available I’ll contact them as soon as possible.”

The pharmacist added, “It’s not the greatest of situations, but it’s just how it’s being released, and we have no control over that.”

An NHS England spokesperson told JesmondLocal that “GPs and pharmacists were given more than two months to order the vaccine, there is more than enough to meet expected demand and, what’s more, older people will be better protected this year than ever before as they will be offered the most effective jab available anywhere in the world, and we expect pharmacists and GPs to get everyone vaccinated before the end of the year when flu usually hits.”

That response is similar to previous statements from the NHS, but the assurances have not quelled growing criticism of the vaccine’s staggered rollout. An early warning came last month from GP and broadcaster Dr Rosemary Leonard, who tweeted that her practice was unsure when, or even if, it would receive FLUAD.

My practice has been told by Seqirus our order for flu vaccine for over 65’s ‘ cannot be fulfilled’. We have no idea if/ when we are getting supplies. How many others are in same situation? #fluvaccine

— Dr Rosemary Leonard (@DrRosemaryL) September 8, 2018

In recent days, Liberal Democrats leader Vince Cable tweeted that he had raised the issue in parliament and that if the situation is not resolved, he predicts “a winter hospital crisis.”

There seems to be a shortage of #fluvaccine for over 65's. Local doctors and pharmacists have run out. Told a 'national problem'. Raised with @MattHancock in Health Questions. Knew nothing. If not sorted a winter hospital crisis.

— Vince Cable (@vincecable) October 23, 2018

The new vaccine was intended to help to avoid that outcome. The 2017/2018 flu season in the UK was the worst in seven years, with a death toll of almost 16,000 in England alone. (In the United States, the flu season was the worst in decades.)

Public Health England predicted that the new vaccine would result in 700 fewer deaths from the flu and 2,000 fewer hospitalisations. The new vaccine is said to boost the immune system in the elderly, who usually have weaker immunity than younger people.

The vaccine has only manufacturer, Seqirus. The company has backed claims by the NHS that there will be sufficient supplies for all those who need the flu shot.

The NHS does not want publicity over the vaccine to deter people from getting vaccinated. It has pointed out that even if people miss out on getting vaccinated in autumn, as recommended, it is still worth getting vaccinated in winter.

Supplies of other flu vaccines have not been affected. The injection for those under 65 is a different formulation, and young children are usually given a nasal spray.

Fast facts about the flu:

-Influenza A and B are viruses that cause annual outbreaks of respiratory infections commonly known as the flu. A milder form, Influenza C, has not been connected to any worldwide outbreaks.

-The flu kills an average of 8000 people each year in England.

-Vaccination is strongly recommended for those 65 and over, pregnant women, the morbidly obese, diabetics and other people with long-term health conditions. The NHS provides free vaccinations for these groups.

-The flu season runs from about October to April.

More information at http://vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/influenza-flu and www.nhs.uk/fluvaccine