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Over 4,000 extra flu vaccines ordered to meet demand

Lisa Woodhouse
23/11/2005

EXTRA flu vaccines have been ordered by health bosses in Stockport to cover the increased number of 'at risk' patients this winter.

This year, additional groups have also been added to the 'at risk' list, including carers and those suffering from chronic liver disease.

According to Dr David Baxter, Stockport consultant in communicable diseases, early indications show an elevated number of pensioners, or people suffering from diabetes, asthma and heart disease, have been to their GPs for the injection.

Four practices in Stockport said that around 75 per cent of their patients aged over 65 had received their flu jab this year - a slight increase on last year's figures and above the national target of 70 per cent.

The increase is thought to be largely due to the recent media attention surrounding bird flu, even though the vaccine does not protect against the Avian influenza.

Dr Baxter said 4,500 extra vaccines had been ordered this month in Stockport due to the increase in the number of people choosing to have the vaccine.

He said: "We received an additional 2,500 vaccines last week which have been used, and we have ordered an extra 1,500 this week and 500 for next week. Provided we get these deliveries Stockport will not have a shortfall.

"We are making every effort to get the vaccines out and we are trying to allocate the GPs as much as possible."