A senior Cumbrian pharmacist insists that the flu vaccine is still available, despite some chemists running out or reporting low stocks.

The high-profile threat of so-called "Aussie flu" has left the NHS under pressure, with bosses urging people to get the jab.

However, as patients rushed to follow their advice, some GP surgeries in the county have been turning them away, saying it is no longer available.

In light of this, local NHS leaders stressed that people could instead get the jab from their local pharmacy.

But a CN Group investigation found that many of these had also ran out or had low stock, with some saying they were struggling to get hold of fresh supplies.

NHS England and Public Health England insisted there wasn't a supply issue, and they could get more if desired.

Now Jeff Forster, chief officer at Cumbria Local Pharmacy Committee, has stressed that the vaccine is still available and said most pharmacies now say they are ordering more in to meet demand.

Hospitals across Cumbria say they are continuing to see a rise in the number of patients seriously affected by flu.

Mr Forster explained that after our investigation came to light, he personally contacted all of the 100-plus pharmacies in Cumbria for an update. He said so far none have said they can't get the vaccine.

"Some have said they haven't got much stock left, but they can obtain more if they want to. They have been able to order it.

"They won't be keeping as much in stock as usually by the time you get to January there isn't much demand. They have to buy the vaccine in so at this stage in the season it's not unusual to run it down.

"I've had an assurance from Boots group that they are getting it in freely, so it is obtainable. They have branches across the county."

Mr Forster, who sits on the regional flu board, said he is encouraging pharmacies to keep at least a "modest" supply of vaccines in stock as county hospitals are continuing to see high rates of flu.

In some cases they are only ordering it in for those patients who qualify for a free NHS vaccine, not for those paying privately.

But Mr Forster said it is those who are entitled that are most at risk, and he is urging those people to get the vaccine urgently.

Hospitals across Cumbria say they are continuing to see a spike in flu cases, and are continuing to urge people to get the jab.

Dr Clive Graham, director of infection prevention and control at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are currently seeing an increase in the number of people requiring hospital admission due to being seriously affected by the flu virus.

"The best protection is the flu vaccination which is available free of charge to people aged 65 or over and people with long-term conditions – I urge people to get the vaccine if they have not already had it."

The University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation has also reported a rise in flu cases in the past two weeks.

Latest statistics show that 237 patients across Cumbria received the free NHS vaccine in the past week.

The week before that it was about 100, showing that people have been rushing to get the vaccine.

Many others have paid privately for the vaccination, which costs about £10 and is also available from many pharmacies.

Mr Forster said: "That shows people have been responding to all the publicity. My concern is to try and ensure those who really need it do get vaccinated. Those are the people in the at risk groups - with diabetes, asthma, heart problems, liver problems etc.

"It's people with these other conditions that are most at risk. There is still time. Flu will circulate until the end of February so it's not too late."

He said that although it does appear to be a bad flu year - as has been the case in Australia - it has been over-hyped to an extent.

"Although flu figures are higher than last year, we are still nowhere near a pandemic," he explained.

Asked whether people who have been vaccinated can still get the flu, he said it is possible but less likely.

"It's certainly the case that the vaccine isn't a complete answer. Flu is a changing virus so it is difficult to predict it 100 per cent, but we do model it on the strains circulating in the southern hemisphere. It may not be 100 per cent but it's the best we can offer," he said.

He added that it can take a couple of weeks for immunity to develop, so people should act quickly in order to get protected.

"I have been assured by all the pharmacies I have contacted in the last couple of days that they either have some vaccine in stock, or are expecting it in the next day or so.

"So although someone wanting a flu vaccination may have to wait a day or two, we would like to assure them that vaccination in Cumbria will be available," he added.

The number of patients who have received the flu jab in Cumbria this year is expected to have hit record levels.

Pharmacists and GPs have been running campaigns since September to encourage all those who qualify for the free NHS-funded vaccine to get their vaccine as early as possible.

Many have held flu clinics and drop in sessions.

With flu currently sweeping the UK and causing extra pressure on hospitals, it is hoped that death and serious illness will be prevented in many cases because more people are protected.

Jeff Forster, who heads the Cumbria Local Pharmacy Committee, said pharmacies have helped to up the numbers by making it even easier for people to get the jab in their local community. "We've had a record year. We've given out more vaccines than ever," he said.

Pharmacies across Cumbria have given out 25,000 vaccines this year, which is about 20 per cent of the county's total.

The other 80 per cent - roughly 100,000 - who have been vaccinated received their jab at their local GP surgery.

Mr Forster said the older age groups are now incredibly aware of the benefits of the vaccine, but there are still many young people in the known "at risk" groups who have not had the jab.

"The over-65s are excellent at getting it, and in Cumbria we are particularly good. We are up there near the top of the league nationally. The uptake in over 65s is nearing 80 per cent," he said.

But in the under 65s more work is still needed. "Those figures have stayed below 50 per cent for years," he said.

Chris Lennon, of Sawyers Pharmacy in Carlisle, said there was a lot of "misinformation" and "urban myths" about the flu jab circulating on social media, which he believes have put people off.

But he said overall they have vaccinated more patients than ever, with demand going back up in recent weeks as cases of flu rise.

"We worked really hard to get the vaccination message out to our customers and in particular, advertise to those who are not our customers to help get the national NHS message across," he said.

Pregant women are also eligible for the vaccine, and Mr Forster said awareness in this group is improving.

NHS organisations have also been working hard to encourage staff to get vaccinated, reducing staff sickness and in turn protecting patients by stopping it from spreading further.

All trusts across Cumbria have reported succesful staff vaccination campaigns, with figures expected to be higher than ever. Some have offered incentives to staff to boost numbers.

In North Cumbria hospitals alone, latest figures show almost 78 per cent of staff have been vaccinated this year.

Who qualifies for the free flu jab?

  • Everyone over the age of 65
  • All pregnant women
  • Those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis
  • Those with heart problems or heart failure
  • People with kidney or liver disease
  • Those with neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's, motor neurone disease or multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • People with diabetes
  • Anyone classed as having weakened immunity, including cancer patients, those with HIV and other conditions
  • Those seriously overweight, with a BMI of 40 or above
  • Anyone living in a long-stay residential care home
  • Anyone who is a registered carer
  • All NHS staff