Disgruntled customers have taken to social media in their droves, expressing their frustration at being unable to secure a flu jab as infection rates skyrocket. The UK is currently grappling with a significant surge in flu cases, leading an NHS official to advise anyone exhibiting symptoms to wear masks when out and about.
Several hospitals have declared emergencies, and numerous schools have been compelled to shut their doors. On average, 2,660 flu patients were hospitalised in England each day in the week leading up to 7 December, including 106 in critical care.
This represents a 55% increase from the previous week's figure of 1,717, when 69 were in critical care.
This figure surpasses that of this time last winter, which stood at an average of 1,861. It is also considerably higher than the same period two years ago in December 2023, when the figure was 402, and this point in 2022 (1,248).
Health officials are urging those most at risk to get vaccinated, but many who have booked jabs and turned up at Boots have found there is no vaccine available. Helen voiced her frustration: "@BootsUK Booked a flu jab online 4 wks ago, paid for it, got email confirmation my prescription had been delivered to my chosen pharmacy. Today Boots has cancelled my appointment because vaccine has run out. Who got the dose I paid for and was waiting for me?"
Kim echoed these sentiments: "My local Boots have cancelled my flu vaccine 3 or 4 times. This can't be helping the situation. @wesstreeting Boots keep cancelling people's flu vaccine appointments. Surely this isn't helping? You have to wait ages at the GPs and many aren't eligible, of course."
Andreja stated: "Booked and paid only to receive a phone call a day later that the Boots appointment been cancelled due to lack of vaccine. Called Tesco and got same response."
Ben commented: "I've just had my second (paid) flu vaccination appointment cancelled by Boots. Phoned to ask why - they said there's currently a shortage of flu vaccines."
Jane added: "I'm not eligible for a free one so for the last two months have been trying to pay from one. All pharmacies where I live have no vaccine available. Boots have cancelled 4 appointments on me a few days before."
Reach went to a Boots outlet in a Tesco store and observed people arriving for flu jabs to be told by the pharmacist they had run out and it was unavailable in the area at all. They advised people to call around other pharmacies to see if they had any vaccines available.
A Boots spokesperson acknowledged they have limited availability, explaining: "We have seen strong demand for flu jabs throughout the winter season. We continue to carry out pre-booked appointments and there are a small number of appointments still available for both NHS and private patients in selected stores.
"Many of our stores across the UK also offer vaccinations on a walk-in basis."
Boots claimed it was 'not experiencing' shortages and said it was 'not aware of any supply issues in the market.' It said people being able to get jabs was dependent on 'store availability'.
Nick Thayer, Head of Policy for The Company Chemists' Association, which represents major chains including Boots and Superdrug, acknowledged that certain pharmacies are experiencing low vaccine stocks and customers may need to try multiple locations.
He explained: "There is no national shortage of flu vaccines, but the bulk of them are administered in October and November. By the time you get to December some places are running low, and some will have none left from their original allocation."
National Medical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care, Prof Julian Redhead stated: "Today's numbers confirm our deepest concerns: the health service is bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter. Cases are incredibly high for this time of year and there is no peak in sight yet.
"The NHS has prepared earlier for winter than ever before, but despite that we know that ballooning flu cases coinciding with strikes may stretch our staff close to breaking point in the coming weeks.
"There have never been more ways for people can get the care they need, so for non-life-threatening care, people should call NHS 111 or use 111 online, which can direct you to the most appropriate place.
"As always, use A&E and 999 for life threatening conditions and serious injuries, and with just a couple of weeks left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day, I urge anyone eligible to come forward to get their jab."