Swine flu vaccine jabs hit by delays

Published on Saturday 24 October 2009 19:56

THE Scottish Government's swine flu jab programme was condemned as "descending into chaos" yesterday, with vulnerable patients facing weeks of delays before they are vaccinated.

Doctors warned of a vaccine shortage and said they were unsure when they would get enough supplies to treat those most at risk from the deadly virus. The government's timetable had the first supplies supposedly arriving at GPs' surgeries tomorrow, but many doctors are still waiting to find out when they will receive the vaccine and some have been told it will take weeks.

In the meantime, GP practices have been inundated with thousands of calls from worried patients. A survey of health boards conducted by Scotland on Sunday revealed a postcode lottery of vaccine availability with some authorities, including Glasgow, admitting that injections would not be available for GPs in time for tomorrow's official roll-out.

A letter sent last week by Chief Medical Officer Harry Burns to doctors suggested it could be well into next month before GPs were told what supplies they could expect.

The letter, dated 19 October, said: "You will be informed of the date when vaccines will be available for the primary care vaccination programme by your NHS board – this is likely to be within the next two to three weeks."

So far, 21 deaths in Scotland have been linked to swine flu and government figures have shown a surge in the numbers needing hospital treatment. Medical experts believe the swine flu vaccination programme could help prevent serious illness and many deaths.

"We are having to field hundreds – and I mean hundreds – of calls from people who are due their vaccine and want to know when they can get it," said John Garner, an Edinburgh GP and former head of the BMA in Scotland.

He said his practice had been told it would be receiving 250 doses in its first batch – but not until 2 November.

With 2,000 patients in the priority groups, he said it was not even worth setting up special Saturday clinics with such a limited supply.

Conservative health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said: "The public, especially pregnant women and at-risk groups, need certainty not chaos. GPs need clarity, not confusion. The SNP health secretary must get to grips with this and ensure that promises made are actually kept."

Labour health spokeswoman Cathy Jamieson said: "This is extremely worrying. What we cannot allow to happen is the vaccine programme to descend into chaos. From the information coming back, it is beginning to look as if that is happening."

NHS Lothian was unable to give details of how many practices would get vaccines this week or give a date on when it would be available to all.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said no GP practices would get vaccines this week. Glasgow's GPs will begin to receive the jab on 2 November.

A spokesman for NHS Grampian said the majority of eligible patients could expect to hear from their GP practices by the end of November.

NHS Lanarkshire said all its practices would have some supplies of vaccines this week. NHS Ayrshire and Arran admitted initial supplies would be "limited" and NHS Fife would not specify when the vaccine would be made available. NHS Forth Valley said all GPs would have initial supplies of the vaccine this week.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Supplies are being delivered as quickly as possible, with the first vaccines expected to arrive at GP surgeries from tomorrow. We have always known that initial vaccine supplies would be limited and will gradually increase to allow a phased commencement to the vaccination programme."