A care home provider in Harrogate has struggled to get flu jabs for its staff and has claimed that others are in the same position.
Disability Action Yorkshire, which has a care home for young disabled adults in Harrogate, has only managed to get three jabs so far.
The charity has 38 staff in total, which means that fewer than 10% are protected from the flu.
Jackie Snape, the chief executive at Disability Action Yorkshire, was one of the three who has had the jab and told the Stray Ferret:
“We have been told that health and social care is a priority but our staff have been unable to get the flu jab. The GPs and pharmacies have a blanket rule to keep the jab available for those over 70. It means that there aren’t any flu jabs for social care staff.”
Disability Action Yorkshire, Chief Executive, Jackie Snape.
The staff have been told to try again in November and December but Jackie fears that it will be too late by then as it will be in the middle of flu season.
Jackie added that she fears if there are problems with the flu jab then there may be issues with the coronavirus vaccine as and when it becomes available.
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She has been in regular calls with other care homes in the Harrogate district and says that all other providers are in the same position.
Earlier this year the government launched what it called the “most comprehensive flu programme in UK history”.
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at Public Health England, said:
“There is no shortage of flu vaccine – enough has been ordered to vaccinate 30 million people, with the most vulnerable being protected first. It is usual for manufacturers to stagger deliveries of the vaccine. Every year, there is a phased roll-out and vaccinations continue throughout the autumn. Some GP practices and pharmacies may ask people to wait until they receive further deliveries.”
