MILLIONS of Brits could be unprotected against a deadly “Aussie” strain of flu as the NHS is scrambling to get the right jabs in time for winter, it’s reported.
Health officials warn some vaccines won’t be delivered to GP practices until the end of November due to delays by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
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In a letter, seen by the Telegraph, health officials have urged doctors and pharmacists to check when their stocks will be delivered.
The WHO usually makes its recommendations about which strains of flu to protect against in February.
But this year, it stalled on its decision on the H3N2 – dubbed Aussie flu after killing hundreds Down Under – by a month.
Flu vaccinations are normally offered by the NHS from September ahead of the UK’s flu season, which typically starts in December.
But Australia, which is currently experiencing one of the worst flu seasons on record, saw the virus spike unseasonably early this year.
It’s already caused three times as many deaths as last winter.
Warning letter
A letter was sent to all GPs and community pharmacists in England warning of the WHO’s delayed recommendations and the knock-on affect across the NHS.
It was sent by Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at Public Health England, and Deborah Tomalin, director of public health commissioning and operations at NHS England.
They said: “We understand from manufacturers the delayed WHO recommendation on vaccine strain has had an impact on their vaccine supply.”
The delay is “in response to a recent increase in the proportion of viruses detected which would not be effectively dealt with by its existing vaccine strains,” they added.
Aussie epidemic
It comes after Australia’s national death toll reached 231 earlier this month – more than double than the total deaths last year.
There were more than 40,000 confirmed cases in June alone, which is the highest number ever recorded for the month.
Last year, there was a total of just 12,000 cases during what’s described as a “mild season”.
In 2017, Australia experienced its worst season yet with 1,163 deaths in total.
Professor Brendan Murphy, Australia’s chief officer, has described this year’s outbreak as “a very unusual early season and it has caught people a bit by surprise.”
Britain’s flu season tends to mirror what happens in Australia, leaving experts fearing that the latest strain could reach the UK this winter.
What are the symptoms of flu?
Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include:
- a sudden fever – a temperature of 38C or above
- an aching body
- feeling tired or exhausted
- a dry cough
- a sore throat
- a headache
- difficulty sleeping
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea or tummy pain
- nausea and being sick
The symptoms are similar for children, but they can also get pain in their ear and appear less active.
The flu vaccine reduces the risk of catching flu, as well as spreading it to others.
It’s more effective to get the vaccine before the start of the flu season (December to March).
Source: NHS UK
Speaking last month, Dr Taj Hassan, from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said the Australian figures looked “very scary indeed”.
He said: “We struggled last year [in A&Es] in incredibly benevolent circumstances. I am not sure that is going to happen this year. It is very important that we prepare.
“Perhaps we need to start vaccination early and set aside some money.”
Dr Hassan said work was needed to improve vaccination uptake for healthcare workers and vulnerable groups.
He also expressed concerns over bed capacity warning that there should be robust planning so people aren’t stuck in corridors.
Dr Hassan added: “NHS England will really need to focus on how to provide clear ring-fenced extra resources for these people.”
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