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Scots 'not asked by English for spare flu jabs' English health officials hit back in flu jabs row
(about 1 hour later)
By Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC NewsBy Nick Triggle Health reporter, BBC News
Scotland says it was never asked by England for some of its spare flu vaccines, despite the shortfall south of the border. Health officials in England have hit back at Scottish accusations that they never asked for its spare flu vaccines to plug the shortfall.
But England's Department of Health said there were talks even though a formal approach was not made. Reports emerged in England this week of GPs running out of the jabs.
English health officials have scoured Europe for jabs after some areas ran out before deciding to use old stocks left over from the pandemic. The Scottish government told the BBC on Friday it had "plenty" of jabs in an emergency pot and would have been willing to try to help out if asked.
But the Scottish government said it would have tried to help if asked. But England's Department of Health said it was told in talks on Tuesday that Scotland could not free up much.
It has 40,000 doses in an emergency stockpile. Vaccination ordering differs in the two countries. In England, GPs order flu vaccines direct from manufacturers.
In Scotland, pharmacists order on behalf of GPs, but the government also gets in extra itself for a contingency pot.
It currently has 40,000 doses in that stockpile.
Contingency potContingency pot
A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "We would always consider helping England in any way appropriate should a request be made, while our priority has to be public health in Scotland which is what we have planned for."A Scottish government spokeswoman said: "We would always consider helping England in any way appropriate should a request be made, while our priority has to be public health in Scotland which is what we have planned for."
But even though there was no direct request, the BBC understands the issue of vaccines was brought up in discussions between civil servants on Tuesday. But even though there was no formal request, the BBC understands the issue of vaccines was brought up in discussions between civil servants straight after the bank holiday weekend.
The Department of Health said its understanding was that there was only a "nominal" amount that could be made available and even this would not be freed up straight-away. A spokeswoman said that was why no formal approach was made.The Department of Health said its understanding was that there was only a "nominal" amount that could be made available and even this would not be freed up straight-away. A spokeswoman said that was why no formal approach was made.
Instead of turning to Scotland, which has reported no vaccine shortages, English health officials have spent time this week asking suppliers whether there are any available vaccines in Europe. English health officials have also spent time this week asking suppliers whether there are any available vaccines in Europe.
But with little on offer, they took the decision on Thursday to let GPs who have run out access the 12m stockpile of vaccine left over from 2009.But with little on offer, they took the decision on Thursday to let GPs who have run out access the 12m stockpile of vaccine left over from 2009.
It is still in date, but only protects against the swine flu strain, just one of three circulating this winter albeit the dominant one.It is still in date, but only protects against the swine flu strain, just one of three circulating this winter albeit the dominant one.
In England, GPs order flu vaccines direct from manufacturers.
In Scotland, pharmacists order on behalf of GPs, but the government also gets in extra itself for a contingency pot.
Are you a GP? Have you been affected by the recent outbreak of flu? Send us your comments.Are you a GP? Have you been affected by the recent outbreak of flu? Send us your comments.