HEALTH bosses last night insisted there were sufficient stocks of flu vaccine despite admitting some GPs’ surgeries were rationing the jab.

Last night NHS Oxfordshire, the county’s primary care trust, refused to say exactly how many Oxfordshire surgeries had no vaccine left.

But when the Oxford Mail called a number of doctors’ surgeries it was clear GPs were being forced to ration the vaccine.

The virus working its way across England is a mixture of ordinary seasonal flu and the swine flu H1N1 virus, and any vaccine offered by surgeries should protect against both strains.

Dr Tom Porter, consultant in Public Health at the health authority, said: “NHS Oxfordshire would like to reassure people across Oxfordshire there are still sufficient stocks of the flu vaccine available.

“In a small number of cases a practice’s individual stocks of vaccine have run out and they are being asked to work with colleagues in neighbouring GP practices to share stocks.”

At-risk groups, including pregnant women, over 65s, and people with long-term illnesses and their carers, should get the vaccine free from their GP.

Usually by this point in the winter season, GPs would have already vaccinated the at-risk groups and could begin to offer the vaccination to other people with left-over stock at their discretion.

But Dr Prit Buttar, from the Abingdon Surgery, said a below average uptake of the vaccination by the at-risk groups before Christmas, paired with media coverage of increased flu activity over Christmas had led to a surge in people demanding the vaccine.

He said: “We are definitely seeing more people than expected at this time of year with the flu virus.

“But the broad message is this: ‘Do not panic’.

“If you are in the at risk group get yourself vaccinated, and if you think you have got flu, get rest, drink lots of fluid and try to keep your temperature down to a normal level, even if you feel cold.”

Surgeries contacted by the Oxford Mail included one which said it was struggling to get hold of flu vaccine for under-fives. Meanwhile, Tesco in Abingdon had run out.

Dr Tim Ringrose, who is the founder of the Abingdon-based website doctors.net, said flu had been a hot topic of conversation on the forums.

He said: “It seems for about a third of the at-risk patients it had been a problem getting hold of the vaccine.”

“Pharmacists seem to be well stocked but are not necessarily prioritising the at-risk groups ahead of others, and because they perhaps have better ordering procedures in place than many surgeries a lot of the stock is being diverted to them first.”

The NHS has repeated its ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ message, in a bid to prevent any further spread of the virus.

Dr Porter said: “Catch any cough or sneeze in a tissue, throw the tissue in the bin; and wash your hands thoroughly to kill the virus.

“If you have symptoms of flu contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for more information, and if your symptoms get significantly worse you should contact your GP.”

SERVICE IS UNDER PRESSURE

AMBULANCE chiefs have claimed a surge in seasonal flu is putting services under pressure.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) staff have urged people who are calling the service with flu symptoms to use ‘common sense’ instead.

As of last night, the number of people with flu-like symptoms occupying critical care beds in hospitals across the South Central region, which covers Oxfordshire,Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Hampshire, was 35.

The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust said the number in Oxfordshire was less than five, but could not reveal an exact figure because it would breach patient confidentiality.

Phil Convery, Infection Control lead for SCAS, said a common sense approach to dealing with flu would help the service.

He added: “Practising good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene and teaching children to do the same are important factors in helping to prevent the spread of viral illnesses such as influenza and gastroenteritis.

“In most patients influenza is a mild illness which can be managed at home. Patients are advised to minimise contact with others where it is not essential and avoid contact with the elderly, pregnant and young children.”

He said patients should contact their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 if they were concerned.

And he added: “Call 999 if you develop difficulty in breathing, collapse or are experiencing chest pain.

“Other serious illnesses can mimic influenza for example pneumonia and meningitis.”