Jabs plea as remedies run short

HEALTH leaders say it is not too late to have a flu or COVID-19 vaccination.

The NHS in the region is calling on people in eligible groups - including over-50s, frontline health workers, pregnant mums and people with long-term health conditions, to come forward if they have not been fully vaccinated by February 12.

And it says an offer for all 16 to 49-yearolds to have a covid booster will end on the same date. Anyone who has been invited but has yet to come forward is being urged to do so before that date, after which covid booster jabs will be targeted at people deemed to be at more risk of serious illness.

The call comes as a surge in winter illnesses has seen a shortage of cough, cold and flu remedies in many pharmacies and supermarkets in recent weeks.

GP Dr Geeta Iyer, the clinical lead for the Mass Vaccination Programme in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, said: "Covid-19 and flu are continuing to circulate in our communities, with lots of people catching the viruses and many ending up in hospital.

"We’re calling for eligible people, particularly those with long-term health conditions, to come forward if they have not been fully vaccinated yet.

"Vaccination is the most effective protection we have. While a vaccine won’t prevent you becoming unwell from the viruses, it will reduce symptoms for the vast majority of people and help you get back to your normal self, sooner."

People who are eligible can contact their GP or local pharmacy for information and details of how to book and locations for walkin vaccinations are also updated regularly online at grabajab.net.

In early January concerns over shortages of cold and flu medicines led to a meeting between health minister Will Quince and the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies.

Pharmacist Ade Williams, who runs Yate's Abbotswood Pharmacy, said: "A return to everyday social interaction has seen more respiratory viruses circulating this year, especially colds and flu.

"This has certainly increased demand for cold and flu remedies, well beyond what we have seen in the pandemic years, with intermittent shortages ensuing.

"The key message is to always remember that if a particularly trusted brand of medical product is not available, the pharmacy team has the expert knowledge and expertise to recommend something with similar formulation, which may also come with a cost saving.

"Self-care advice offered does not also always require purchasing medicines - taking honey and lemon, using steam inflation amongst other useful advice.”

The Department of Health and Social Care said supply problems were "sporadic and localised".