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Boots pharmacies restrict flu jabs to over 65s amid unprecedented demand during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic; NHS Highland has moved to reassure public that its own flu vaccines programmes are not affected





Flu vaccines have been restricted to over 65s at Boots.
Flu vaccines have been restricted to over 65s at Boots.

UNPRECEDENTED demand for flu vaccines has prompted a leading pharmacy to halt jabs for under-65s.

Boots is restricting its flu jab service to over-65s as it attempts to clear a backlog in appointments caused by demand in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The move has affected some Inverness residents, who contacted the pharmacy for a vaccination, only to be told of its new age restriction.

Boots explained it usually orders flu vaccination stocks around a year in advance but, despite increasing its order by around 20 per cent, demand had proven to be “unprecedented”.

The chain added that different vaccines are used in their over 65 and under 65 vaccination services, and that it was only the demand for the under 65 jab that was currently causing issues.

A spokesman said: “We know that this year, our customers have been more conscious than ever about protecting the health of themselves and their families, and protecting against flu has been front of mind for many of us.

“As a result, we have seen more people than ever booking early to get their flu vaccinations. We have been closely monitoring our stock levels, and made the decision this weekend to pause taking new bookings for our private and NHS under-65s flu vaccination services.

“We are still able to continue supporting the NHS over-65s flu vaccination service due to stock availability of the trivalent vaccination, which the NHS recommends for people aged 65 and over.”

Despite the Boots shortage, NHS Highland has reassured the public it has “no plans” to restrict those eligible for its free flu jabs.

Dr Tim Allison, director of public health, said: “We will still be looking to offer vaccine to everyone over 55 and to those over 50 if supply allows. Our ability to offer the vaccination to those aged 50-54 who have not been eligible before is similar for the rest of Scotland in that it is dependent on sufficient vaccine being available.

This is in line with the Scottish Government’s planned timeline. In August the government said: “NHS Scotland health boards will be delivering the expansion of the vaccination programme, and will be taking a phased approach. This allows boards to begin vaccination for different groups, as soon as the necessary supply of vaccine becomes available, whilst prioritising those most at risk.

“The first phase will begin in October, to include those already eligible, household members of those shielding, and front-line social care workers.”

The second phase, for ages 55 to 64, is planned to begin in December with those aged 50 to 54 to get jabs from then too, subject to supply.

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