DELAYS with flu vaccine supplies have led to vaccination clinics being cancelled and rescheduled for later dates. 

The Cranborne Practice had been due to hold the drive-through vaccination session on Sunday (September 12) at the Lake Road Verwood surgery site, which has been cancelled. 

However, vaccination clinics are due to be held on the following dates:

For those aged 18 to 49 who are in an eligible at-risk group and those aged 50 to 64:

  • September 19, 9am to 1.30pm
  • October 24, 9am to noon

For those aged 65 and over:

  • October 3, 9am to 12pm
  • October 17, 9am to 1.30pm

A statement on the Cranborne Practice Facebook page said: "Following intervention by the practice, we are pleased to advise that our clinic for those aged 18 to 49 who are in an eligible at-risk group and those aged 50 to 64 is back on for the morning of Sunday, September 19.

"Therefore, patients booked for Sunday, September 19 should attend as initially planned.

"Our initial clinic for over 65s, originally scheduled for September 12, remains cancelled due to vaccine supply delays.

"Patients with appointments for this clinic are being rebooked for October 17. We will be contacting patients to confirm these details by SMS text message if you have a mobile phone registered with us, or a phone call if not."

"We have added additional clinic dates in line with the anticipated vaccine delivery schedule," the statement continued. 

"Thank you for your patience and understanding. The need to reschedule some appointments has been due to changes in our supplier’s delivery schedule which is entirely outside our control."

Fordingbridge Surgery says it has also had to delay its flu vaccination delivery. 

The walk-through clinic for patients aged 65 and over due to be held on Saturday (September 11) has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 25.

A post on the surgery's Facebook page said: "Due to the national freight issues, we are sorry to announce that our flu vaccination delivery has been delayed."

It added: "If your appointment is booked on September 11, please attend at the same time on September 25. If you are unable to attend on September 25, please contact the surgery on 01425 653430."

Fordingbridge Surgery says it anticipates the clinic on September 18 will continue as planned.

Ringwood Medical Practice has also announced its flu clinic planned for Saturday, September 18 has been cancelled. 

A post on its Facebook page said: "Due to national delivery issues outside of our control, we are sorry to inform our patients that we are CANCELLING the flu clinic on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18.

"We will not be receiving our vaccines in time for this clinic."

But it says appointments are still available for clinics in October for those wanting to rebook using their SystmOnline account or by call the medical practice.

It added: "We will be holding further clinics later in October once we are aware of further deliveries.

"Apologies again for this disruption."

ALSO READ: 'Everyone is being let down' - More than 1,000 patients affected by flu vaccine delay

The government's department of health and social care has quashed rumours about there being a vaccine shortage, and has assured the delay should not affect the overall vaccination programme.

A spokesperson said: “It is untrue to say there is a flu vaccine shortage.

“The delivery from one supplier is delayed by one or two weeks and this should have no impact on the flu vaccination programme overall.”

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