Health: Flu Vaccines

Lord Geddes Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd October 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord O’Shaughnessy]

First, let me just clarify that the quotation from my last answer should have ended,

“before the start of December”.

It would be terribly alarming if it was September: it was December and I am happy to write to noble Lords with those details.

As for how the vaccine is secured, it is done on the open market. GPs and pharmacies buy it directly from the manufacturer, which in this case is Seqirus. As I have said, we have checked with the manufacturer, which has confirmed that there is adequate supply available for this country. Seqirus has, indeed, made extra supply available in response to the demand we have heard discussed today.

[Lord Geddes (Con)]

Could my noble friend advise the House why the flu vaccination parliamentary day on 9 October was cancelled at the last minute?

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

I do not know and I shall write to my noble friend.