Thousands of people could have been put at risk of catching flu this winter because they were given the wrong jab, health care professionals in England have been warned.
Now those affected are likely to be called back to be given an effective vaccine to prevent them catching the disease, The Sun reports. The error has been revealed in a letter sent to NHS staff.
The letter from Tim Davies, the NHS England lead for screening and immunisation, says the problem relates to people aged 65 and over who have been given a jab that is ineffective for their age group. Experts have called on healthcare staff to ensure all those who received the wrong vaccines are given the correct jab so they are protected this winter.
It is particularly important that everyone is protected as the UK is feared to be facing a "twindemic" of flu and Covid this winter. Australia has already seen a sharp rise in flu cases during its winter - which happens during the northern hemisphere's summer months, raising concerns that the same could happen here.
In his letter, Mr Davis said that "a significant number" of over-65s had been given the wrong vaccine "nationally". The jab they received, known as QIVe, does not create a strong enough immune response in those 65 and older to keep them protected from flu. It is only meant be given to people between 18–64 years who have underlying health issues such as chronic heart disease or diabetes.
An NHS spokesperson said: “A small number of people over 65 have been recorded as receiving the QIVe flu vaccine instead of the recommended vaccine type for this age group. There is no clinical risk for those affected.
“Local NHS teams regularly check in with providers to ensure the recommended vaccines have been administered correctly and on the small number of occasions where this isn’t the case, to see if it is appropriate to invite the patient back."
The symptoms of flu are very similar to those of a very bad cold, including a temperature of 38C or more. Sufferers could also experience body aches, a dry cough, loss of appetite and feeling or being sick. A high temperature had previously been a symptom of Covid, but the experts said that this is less likely with the Omicron strain.
Health chiefs are worried t hat both Covid and flu will experience a resurgence as the weather turns colder. A source told The Sun: “It will be three years since the majority of people have had flu and we know Covid immunity wanes, too. It’s the first winter with Covid but with no restrictions.”
Under plans announced last month, about 33 million people in England will be eligible for a free flu vaccine this year. They are:
- People aged 50 and over
- Those aged six months to 49 with a specified health condition
- Secondary school-aged children focusing on Years 7, 8 and 9 with any remaining vaccine offered to Years 10 and 11
- Primary school-aged children
- Pregnant women; those in care homes, frontline health and social care staff
- Carers and the household contacts of people with weakened immune systems
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