NHS bosses telling GPs to use cut-price flu jabs ‘worsened crisis’
NHS England confirmed the cheaper jab only covered three out of the four strains - and the fourth hit the hardest
PEOPLE were given inferior flu jabs ahead of this winter’s deadly outbreak, health bosses admit.
Chiefs in parts of England told GPs to use a cheaper jab against three strains rather than a pricier one for four.
Uptake of the flu jab has been slightly higher than last year, with seven in ten pensioners vaccinated.
The bug not covered by the cheaper vaccine has been the most prevalent.
Pushing the cut-price jab may have fuelled hospital flu admissions, a senior medic told the Health Service Journal.
NHS leader have now issued fresh guidance to GPs and pharmacists to use a pricier jab for millions of vulnerable Brits ahead of next season.
It will cover four strains of flu, not three.
Public Health England has previously admitted the flu vaccine was ineffective among OAPs in 2016/17.
Dr Arvind Madan, GP and NHS England Director of Primary Care, said: “Flu can have serious health implications, particularly for the most vulnerable people."
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At least 193 flu victims in England have died in the past three months.
And officials admit the real toll will be nearer 8,000.
Nick Scriven, of the Society of Acute Medicine, said: “This year’s approach has proved to be less than optimal.