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16
Dec
Investigation: Where to get a flu vaccine in the Harrogate district
With the number of winter flu cases surging earlier than usual this year, the NHS is urging people to get vaccinated.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust last week said the rising number of flu patients was adding to the pressure it was under.
But how easy is is to get a flu jab?
A concerned reader, who asked to remain anonymous, contacted the Stray Ferret after unsuccessfully trying to book a private flu vaccination at several pharmacies in Harrogate.
She said:
I usually pay for a flu jab every year, but I didn’t get round to it this year. When I saw on the news that the number of cases was much higher than usual, it was a good reminder to go and get mine. However, when I asked at my local pharmacy, Day Lewis on Leeds Road, they said they didn’t have any left and wouldn’t be getting any more in.
I tried to book online at Boots, but there were no appointments available at any of the local branches, and it was the same with Well Pharmacies.
It’s worrying because there are so many warnings around about flu this year. The government and the NHS are urging people to get vaccinated, but what are you supposed to do if there aren’t any vaccinations available?
The woman said it would help residents if there was more information about the availability of flu vaccines locally, so the Stray Ferret decided to investigate.
We contacted a number of pharmacies across the district today to find out if they are currently offering paid-for flu vaccines and have collated their responses, which you can find below.
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Well Pharmacy, Cold Bath Road: The pharmacy told the Stray Ferret it is currently out of stock of the flu vaccine but hoped more stock would arrive tomorrow (December 17). It added bookings will become available once the stock has arrived and both private and NHS appointments are available. The same applies to its Wetherby Road site, a member of staff at the Cold Bath Road branch said.
Day Lewis Pharmacy, Leeds Road: The Leeds Road pharmacy also told the Stray Ferret it does not have any flu jabs in stock. However, as the pharmacy offers a walk-in only clinic, people are advised to call the pharmacy in advance to see if any vaccinations are back in stock.
Day Lewis Pharmacy, King’s Road: An employee at the King’s Road branch told the Stray Ferret the pharmacy is out of stock of the flu vaccination and does not think it will come back in stock, as the flu season typically ends in late December.
Boots: The Stray Ferret called three Boots pharmacies – Harrogate, Knaresborough and St James Retail Park – but could not get through to any of them. However, at the time of writing (December 16), none of the pharmacies offered flu vaccination appointments. Their websites all said: “Sorry, there are no appointments available at this store at the present time. Please try again later or choose another store”.
Cohen’s Chemist, King Edward’s Drive: Private flu vaccinations at Cohen’s Chemist on King Edward’s Drive were widely available at the time of writing. According to its website, people can book a paid-for flu vaccine as early as this Thursday (December 18).
Cohen’s Chemist at Mowbray Medical Centre: Like its sister branch, private flu jabs are available at the Mowbray Medical Centre site. At the time of writing, there were several slots available from Thursday.
Pharmacy+, Knaresborough's High Street: The pharmacy said it has completely run out of private flu vaccines and has very limited stock left for NHS patients. A member of staff was unsure whether anymore stock would come in, but said it started rolling out the flu vaccine at the beginning of October.
Ripon and Masham
Morrisons, Ripon: When the Stray Ferret called Morrisons pharmacy, a member of staff told us the flu vaccination was out of stock. They did not know when it would be back in stock, but advised people to keep checking availability. When operating, the flu vaccination clinic is walk-in only and open to both NHS and private patients.
Boots, Ripon: Unlike the Harrogate and Knaresborough branches, Boots in Ripon is offering flu vaccinations. However, at the time of writing, there was no availability until January 5.
Day Lewis Pharmacy, Masham: The Masham pharmacy told the Stray Ferret the flu jab is currently in stock but limited appointments are available. However, the pharmacist said they expect more stock to come in.
Pateley Bridge
Pateley Bridge Pharmacy: The pharmacy told the Stray Ferret private flu vaccines are currently in stock. Appointments are walk-in only but the pharmacy advised people to ring ahead to check the flu jab is still in stock at the time.
Boroughbridge
Boroughbridge Pharmacy: Boroughbridge Pharmacy said it had been offering private and NHS flu vaccines, but it is now out completely out of stock.
If you know of any pharmacies that are offering private flu vaccines, feel free to let us know by emailing contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we can add it to this story.
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