| The organisations Director of Public Health Dr Drew Walker said today he believed that would be adequate to cope with the region’s increased number of people seeking immunisation this year.
The announcement of the extra doses was made at a meeting of the full board in Dundee.
There had been concerns expressed nationally that the potential threat from bird flu had caused shortages of the vaccine.
However, earlier this week, leading doctors in Dundee said they were managing to deliver their vaccination programmes although more people were coming forward for the vaccination.
Flu vaccine is offered annually to everyone over the age of 65 and also groups of patients such as diabetics and asthmatics thought to be at increased risk from flu.
Dr Walker said there was no evidence in Tayside that people at low risk were being immunised “to any significant level”.
Board members also were advised of the health services’ more general winter planning arrangements and in particular steps being taken to cover the festive period.
Extra staffing to support NHS 24 when local doctors’ surgeries are closed over Christmas and the New Year will cost approximately £50,000. It is understood NHS Tayside will be able to recover these costs from NHS 24. |
