Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on problems with the supply of flu vaccines; and if he will make a statement.

NHS England wrote in February 2018 to general practitioner (GPs) and community pharmacists recommending that they should order the adjuvanted trivalent flu vaccine for those aged 65 years and over for the 2018/19 season. This vaccine is intended to offer better protection than the vaccines offered previously to this age group. There is no shortage overall but deliveries of the vaccine will be phased between September and November. The letter is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/vaccine-ordering-18-19-influenza-season-gp-pharm.pdf

NHS England issued guidance to assist GP practices and community pharmacists to plan their flu clinics in August 2018. Patients are advised to wait for the most appropriate vaccine. The guidance is available at the following links:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/flu-vaccinations-for-2018-and-planning-flu-clinics-letter-from-david-geddes/

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/flu-vaccination-programme-delivery-guidance-2018-19/