Britain runs out of swine flu vaccine
By IANSThursday, January 6, 2011
LONDON - British Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has admitted that the country was running short of swine flu vaccines.
The health secretary has issued a message to manufacturers as doctors said they were having to turn away patients wanting a jab, the Daily Mirror reported.
Shadow Health Secretary John Healey said: “This action is better late than never but will only add to the confusion over the government’s handling of the swine flu outbreak.”
Healey said the number of vaccines administered has been down from last year’s figures, but there were still reports of physicians running out of vaccines.
“The health secretary has been slow to act at every stage and now his department is playing catch up by urging British vaccine suppliers to buy in more from the rest of Europe,” he said.
The UK Vaccine Industry Group, which represents the companies that research, develop and manufacture vaccines in Britain, said 14.7 million doses have been delivered.
Latest figures said 39 people died from flu since October 2010 and 750 are being treated in intensive care.
