The NHS has begged Londoners to get flu vaccines this month, but chance would be a fine thing for some.
Many pharmacies in the capital are not accepting patients, because they simply don’t have enough jabs in stock.
Metro Deputy News Editor Isobel Frodsham saw this for herself when she visited three pharmacies trying to get a walk-in appointment last night, before finally striking lucky on the fourth try.
When we tried to book a west London appointment on the Boots website, we couldn’t find any appointments at all in nearby stores before Christmas.
While peak time for flu jabs is usually October, there is currently a rush for jabs because of the health service’s ‘urgent plea’ for people to get them given how bad winter pressures are already.
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Pharmacy staff are already seeing increased demand for jabs, as people listen to the health service and try to get their jabs in time for Christmas (they take two weeks to give full protection).
Vikas Chauhan, the manager of C.E. Harrod pharmacy in Parsons Green, told Metro: ‘Because of the new strain and current stock of avaiabilty, we’re experiencing a two to three times increase in daily walk-ins.
‘We could see about 30 or 40, compared to last week’s ten or twelve.’
Rita Anora, the pharmacist in the same store, said a lot of it was due to word of mouth, with patients telling them, ‘Oh, I came in because so-and-so said you had jabs’.
She said they had also seen in increase in people buying medication to relieve symptoms: ‘We’re selling double the cough and cold medication compared to last year.’
More people than usual are also buying masks, Covid tests, and hand sanitisers, she added, going back to their habits during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hospitals around the country are taking precautions to mitigate what could be an ‘unprecented’ flu season, with several now asking staff and patients to wear face masks.
Melissa Howard, a 36-year-old businesswoman from Wirral, told Metro she had the flu jab in September but still came down with a ‘bloody awful’ illness in mid-November, with fever, a sore throat and body aches.
‘After about a week the whole house had it,’ she said. ‘For me it’s just not gone at all. The fever still shows up, and the cough has been terrible.’
Mum-of-two Melissa, the founder of Bidsmithery which helps SMEs and charities win more bids, said: ‘It just keeps circling round the house. None of us seem to be able to properly get rid of it.’
Sylvie Frankel, a mum-of-four from Blackwell in Derbyshire, told Metro this year was the worst year she could remember for illnesses since she become a parent over 18 years ago.
The business consultant for neurodiverse female entrepreneurs had just recovered from norovirus and a cold, when she came down with a flu-like illness in mid-November, despite having a flu vaccine on October 13.
‘Within five days, five of us living at home were out and I had to cancel everything work wise for myself, though I work through pretty much everything,’ she said. ‘Both toddlers were out of nursery all week – always great when you’re all sick at the same time!’
Neither took Covid tests so can’t be sure their illnesses were flu, but Sylvie said she had no loss of smell/taste, or coarse voice.
Flu vaccines are often ordered from manufacturers a year in advance, with limited additional stock available once the season has begun.
This year’s flu season is especially bad because of a new strain circulating with mutations giving it the ability to evade immunity.
Flu viruses mutate every year, but the jump in the H3N2 strain compared to last year is especially notable. It already fuelled a bad flu season in Australia, and it’s now hitting here too, with three times as many flu patients in hospital in London compared to this time last year.
A spokesperson for Boots said: ‘We have seen strong demand for flu jabs throughout the winter season.
‘We continue to carry out pre-booked appointments and there are a small number of appointments still available for both NHS and private patients in selected London stores. Many of our stores across the UK also offer vaccinations on a walk-in basis.’
‘I was turned away from three pharmacies before I found a flu jab’
By Isobel Frodsham, Deputy News Editor
On Monday, we published a story highlighting that the NHS has urged for people to get vaccinated after a spike in cases in this year’s winter flu.
Medics have said this season is being driven by a new strain of flu – which has seven mutations – and our ambulance service is receiving thousands of calls. So, I set off to get vaccinated. Or, so I thought.
On the nearest high street to Metro‘s office we have at least three pharmacies offering vaccinations. But by yesterday evening, it was impossible to get one.
Boots said they had sold out completely. A second pharmacy I went to said they were shutting for the day, while a third one told me they were saving their reserves for the vulnerable and elderly, and advised me to go to Asda or Morrisons instead.
I then rang a Superdrug – who offer walk-ins – nearest to my home, and there was no answer. I then tried to book an appointment at multiple branches of Boots but they were all sold out.
By this point I began to panic – where could I get a flu jab? My best friend has already contracted it and said her symptoms are awful – and she’s facing a three day wait just to speak to a GP.With Christmas coming up in a few weeks, I wanted to protect myself sooner rather than later.
Eventually, I managed to get one from C.E. Harrod in Fulham, west London, as they still had appointments and I could get there before they closed for the day. I was jab 12 of the day – and they mentioned they had seen more people than usual getting theirs.
Those who aren’t eligible for NHS vaccines, I really would encourage you to get one privately – if you can afford it. Mine cost £15.99 – which is worth it to me knowing that I’m protected.
My advice to those not being able to get appointments is this – try your local, independent pharmacies if the chains have no jabs available. Ring ahead to see what their stock level is like and then pop in to get one.
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