Government launches jab tender just weeks before flu season

Tuesday 07 September 2021

The Government has called out to local GP surgeries for help with delivering the flu vaccine with less than a month before ‘flu season’ starts.

An invitation to tender launched on 3 September, with the contracts expected to start on 1 October.

Whilst local surgeries previously ordered their own supplies for the flu vaccination programme, this year the Government has centralised orders as it plans to give flu jabs at the same time as 'top-up' doses of the covid vaccine at Fort Regent this autumn.

They are now seeking local surgeries to help with the vaccination programme.

“It is anticipated the vaccines will be delivered in various settings throughout Jersey,” the tender page notes. “Some Winter flu vaccines may be delivered by GoJ alongside the Covid-19 Booster vaccine programme at Fort Regent. However, it is also anticipated Winter flu vaccines will also be delivered by primary care providers in different settings.”

The tender process was launched with just weeks to go before the beginning of “flu season” in October.

Pictured: The Government plans to give flu jabs at the same time as 'top-up' doses of the covid vaccine at Fort Regent this autumn.

It is expected that this year’s flu jab campaign will roughly follow the priority order of the covid vaccine, with all islanders 50 and over invited to get their jab to reduce the number of flu infections and avoid the potential “coincident circulation’ of both influenza and covid-19.

Meanwhile, from Monday 20 September, children in nurseries, primary and secondary schools will be offered the nasal flu vaccination. 

The nasal vaccine for children and young people, given as a single dose gently squirted up each nostril, is quick and painless as there's no injection involved.

“It is very important that children are vaccinated against flu for several reasons; children are two to three times more likely to catch flu than adults, and children under five are more likely to be admitted to hospital with flu than any other age group,” Director of Public Health Professor Peter Bradley, said.

“When children get flu, their symptoms are more severe, last longer and can lead to complications. Children are also often super-spreaders of flu during the winter, so by vaccinating your child and preventing them from catching flu, you’ll also help prevent the spread to vulnerable friends and family, such as grandparents.

“It is also particularly important for children to get protected against flu while covid is still in circulation; the co-circulation of flu and covid can often result in confusion between the two as they both have similar symptoms.”

Pictured: Children in nurseries, primary and secondary schools will be offered the nasal flu vaccination from 20 September.

Mr Bradley also warned that flu might be “a lot more prevalent” this year as there was no wide circulation of the virus.

Professor Anthony Harnden, the Deputy Chair of the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, also previously told the BBC’s Today programme: “I will emphasise that flu could be potentially a bigger problem this winter than covid.

“We’ve had a very, very low prevalence of flu for the last few years, particularly virtually nil during lockdown, and we do know that when flu has been circulating in very low numbers immunity drops in the population, and it comes back to bite us. 

“So, flu can be really, really important this winter.” 

Meanwhile in the UK, concerns have been raised after Seqirus, a flu vaccine provider, reported there would be a two-week delay in the delivery of the vaccines due to a shortage of HGV drivers.

They said: "Due to unforeseen challenges linked with road freight delays, we have informed all our customers of a consequent delay to their scheduled vaccine delivery by a maximum of one to two weeks.” 

Express has asked the Government whether any delays are expected locally.