Pharmacies across Cumbria are running out of flu vaccines as people rush to get the jab amid the high-profile Aussie flu scare.

The NHS has been urging people to make sure they are protected as hospitals in Cumbria see a spike in flu cases.

Yet a CN Group investigation has revealed many pharmacies across the county no longer have stocks, or are running low.

Some GP surgeries in Cumbria have also turned patients away, saying the vaccine is no longer available.

NHS England and Public Health England insist there is no supply issue, so pharmacies and GPs should be able to order more.

But when we contacted pharmacies across the county some said they were struggling to get hold of the vaccine.

The rise in demand follows reports that the UK is in line for a bad flu season, with the strain that claimed hundreds of lives in Australia now spreading here.

NHS leaders have therefore been urging people to get their flu jab, especially those in vulnerable groups.

Those who do not qualify for the free NHS vaccine can also pay about £10 to get it privately, but it appears pharmacies across the county were not expecting a late surge in demand.

Chris Lennon, from Sawyers Pharmacy in Carlisle, said they order their flu vaccines over a year in advance.

This year he requested even more than usual but, following their most successful year to date, they have now used them all up.

He said they only offer the jab to those who qualify for the free NHS vaccine, and they would usually be very little demand in January as the flu season is generally drawing to an end.

But he said in the past few days, as the flu season spikes later than expected, there has been a rise in requests - largely due to people being concerned about national media reports.

He said that they will order vaccines for those who pre-book appointments, but it is not their main focus.

"We quite deliberately do not have any now. The flu jab season starts in early September and we do several hundred in September and October. By November we are down to single figures," he explained.

"We have to place our orders a year in advance, and we've had more people this flu season than we've ever had before."

The rise in flu cases is one of the main factors being blamed for the pressures currently facing the NHS locally and nationally.

To date there have been hundreds of cases recorded at hospitals across the county, with bosses saying that the past 10 days have seen more instances of flu than the rest of the winter.

Mr Lennon said pharmacies only get reimbursed by the NHS for the jabs they give out, so don't order lots of extra stock that won't get used.

He said there has been a good uptake this year, so most of those in vulnerable groups will already be protected. However for those who missed their opportunity, he said they would do their best to help.

"We are still taking bookings but are requiring people to book an appointment before we order them. When we know people are coming in we will try and find a supplier," he said.

Nat Mitchell, director at JWW Allison in Cockermouth, said they have about 20 of the vaccines available and will continue to order more for as long as there is demand from patients.

"We never stick to just one supplier. We get them from about six different places," he said.

"We have been offering flu jabs for about seven years and have learned from experience never to put all our eggs in one basket.

"We have seen a spike in flu jabs. January it usually dies off but it hasn't this year. It's a mixture of NHS and private patients but we've definitely had more private patients wanting it this year.

"What tends to happen is that those who are eligible for the free vaccine get them earlier. Now we are seeing a lot of people who have read about it being a bad flu season and thinking that for the sake of £10 they may as well make sure they are covered."

Rami Ghanim, pharmacist at Coward's in Hartington Street, Barrow, said they find that demand is highest between October and December so many pharmacies will now be running low.

He said more people are asking for it now because they've read about "Aussie flu", and because the NHS is still urging people to get vaccinated, but it isn't easy to get hold of extra stock.

"I tried to order some more for some patients but they haven't come in. I've tried a number of different suppliers who don't look like they have many left," he said.

He explained that independent pharmacies are more likely to be able to get hold of flu jabs as they can try different suppliers, whereas bigger chains may be tied to specific ones.

Nationally, Public Health England's latest national report shows that seasonal flu levels have continued to rise since last week.

Its medical director, Professor Paul Cosford, is continuing to urge people to get the vaccine - and PHE insists there is no shortage of stocks in the region, saying GPs and pharmacies can reorder if they run out.

He said: "Our data shows that more people are visiting GPs with flu symptoms and we are seeing more people admitted to hospital with flu.

"We are currently seeing a mix of flu types, including the A(H3N2) strain that circulated last winter in the UK and then in Australia. This strain particularly affects older, more vulnerable age groups.

"We encourage anyone who is eligible to take up their offer of the flu vaccine – it is not too late."


What the pharmacies said:

  • Asda Pharmacy, Kingstown, Carlisle: None left. Unlikely they will get any more in stock as near end of flu season.
  • Well Pharmacy in Stonegarth, Carlisle: Out of stock, hoping to have more by tomorrow
  • Dalston Pharmacy, Carlisle: Vaccine in stock
  • Lloyds Pharmacy at Sainsbury's, Carlisle: None currently in stock. Hoping to have more later today
  • Sawyers Pharmacy, Fisher Street, Carlisle: Only ordering vaccines for patients who qualify for the free NHS vaccine, and appointments must be pre-booked
  • Coward's in Hartington Street, Barrow: Making efforts to order extra stock in line with spike in demand
  • Boots, Dalton Road, Barrow: Some in stock but starting to run low as it is nearing the end of flu season
  • Duke Street Pharmacy, Barrow: Staff said there were just a couple left, available on first come, first served basis
  • Asda Pharmacy, Walney Road, Barrow: None left. Staff said they have been unable to get hold of further stock and as it was now nearing the end of the flu season, it was unlikely they'd get more in
  • Allisons Chemist in Cockermouth: Currently have 20 and will keep re-stocking while demand is there
  • W Gourlay, Oxford Street, Workington: A few left but these were only available to NHS patients, not those paying privately
  • Asda Pharmacy, Workington: None left. Staff said they were struggling to get more stock. Not sure if more would be coming in
  • Tesco Pharmacy, Whitehaven: Roughly 10 left and will restock as long as available

Flu facts

What is Aussie flu?

This term refers to the H3N2 strain of flu that resulted in a particularly bad flu season over the Australian winter. It is just one of several strains circulating in the UK, but is being attributed to particularly nasty cases of the virus. It is covered by the current flu jab.

How will I know if it is Aussie flu?

Without specific tests you won't know for sure whether you have had the Australian flu or another strain. The advice and treatment is the same regardless of the strain of flu.

Who qualifies for the free NHS jab?

Anyone aged 65 and over; pregnant women; children and adults with an underlying health condition such as long-term heart or respiratory disease); those with weakened immune systems. Young children can also receive the nasal spray.

Where can I get it from?

Contact your local GP practice or pharmacy. You may need to ring around several pharmacies as some have ran out or are reporting low stocks. Despite some reports to the contrary, the NHS says there is no supply issue in the region.

What should I do if I get flu?

Although you may feel very poorly, in most cases the virus will clear up after a period of rest and recuperation. Drink plenty of fluids and speak to your pharmacist about over the counter remedies. Always check before giving medication to children.

How can I stop it spreading?

Flu is very infectious and easily spread to other people. You're more likely to give it to others in the first five days. Flu is spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. To reduce the risk: wash hands often with warm water and soap, use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze, and bin used tissues as quickly as possible.