§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their assessment of the needs for the provision of flu vaccination by the National Health Service; and what are the arrangements for meeting those needs; and [HL4286]
133WAWhat arrangements they have made for the National Health Service to meet the need for flu vaccination for people under the age of 65 years. [HL4287]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathSelective influenza immunisation is recommended to protect those who are most at risk of serious illness or death should they develop influenza. This year, influenza immunisation should be offered to people with underlying ill health due to:
- chronic heart disease
- chronic respiratory disease including asthma
- chronic renal disease
- diabetes mellitus
- immunosuppression due to disease or treatment
- everyone aged 65 and over
- and people living in long stay residential care accommodation
Complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia are more common in people with these underlying diseases, especially if they are also elderly, and deaths due to flu are almost entirely in these groups. In long-stay residential accommodation influenza infection can spread very rapidly.
This year, around 11 million doses of flu vaccine are available, compared to 7.8 million doses last year. This is more than sufficient vaccine to meet our target of at least 60 per cent. uptake in those aged 65 and over as well as those in the other targeted risk groups.
Influenza immunisation is given almost entirely by general practitioners and practice nurses. GPs order vaccine in advance for their "risk" patients, direct from the manufacturers, GPs were informed of this year's policy in May, and given more detailed information from the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, on 1 August. This year, each health authority has also appointed a "flu co-ordinator" to assist with organisation of the local programme.
Unfortunately, one of the manufacturers, Solvay, has encountered problems in growing a strain of the vaccine which has led to delays in some deliveries. Solvay has been in touch with the affected GPs to tell them details of any delays, but has confirmed that all ordered vaccine will be delivered by the end of November, in time to protect people this winter.