Southport chemists run out of flu jab as national shortage takes hold

A number of GP surgeries and private pharmacies in Southport have run out of flu jabs and are asking people to wait until more stock can be delivered.

Boots says nationally it has seen very high demand for the vaccine and has now had to suspend bookings at its Chapel Street store.

Government officials say there is no national shortage and there will be enough doses in the coming weeks and months to vaccinate the 30 million people deemed most vulnerable to flu.

Available stocks are being given to the over-65s and high risk groups.

Once those groups have been immunised, healthy 50 to 64-year-olds in England will, for the first time, be eligible for a free flu jab on the NHS. This is to help protect against the double threat of flu and coronavirus this winter – research shows people can catch both diseases at the same time, with serious and sometimes deadly consequences.

There is currently no vaccine for coronavirus.