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Practices reminded to vaccinate locum GP patients

MHRA

The BMA’s GP Committee has received ‘several reports’ of locum doctors finding it difficult to secure flu vaccinations from their registered practice.

Reminding practices that locums have been added to the list of patients who are eligible for free flu jabs, one LMC told member practices is ‘vital’ GPs ‘work together’ in protecting the overstretched workforce during this ‘unprecedented’ winter.

GP locum vaccinations were added to the flu DES when this was updated last month.

Cleveland LMC wrote in a bulletin: ‘Locum GPs are fully entitled to receive the flu vaccination from their registered GP, and practices are contractually responsible for providing the flu vaccination to locum GPs who are their registered patients.

‘It is vital that we work together during this unprecedented winter season to protect our already overstretched workforce.’

It comes as some GPs raised concerns this week that they have yet to receive stocks of flu vaccine for high-risk patients under 65, with some forced to cancel pre-planned flu clinics.

The RCGP said they were hearing reports that supply of vaccine was not meeting demand, adding that it was important that patients understood that GPs were not ‘rationing’ vaccine.

Over-65s flu vaccine appeared to remain available to GP practices, with one North Yorkshire practice reporting it has already met its 75% target for vaccinating older patients.

Scott Road Medical Centre in Selby vaccinated 1,200 patients since the start of September, including via a special vaccination event at the Selby Community Centre last Saturday. The event saw five nurse-led stations administering the flu vaccine in 30-minute time slots.


          

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