Caithness flu jab demand increases due to coronavirus
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DEMAND for the flu vaccination in Caithness has increased this year due to ongoing concerns about the coronavirus.
That is the picture which emerged yesterday after the John O'Groat Journal contacted pharmacies in Wick and Thurso.
The Right Medicine Pharmacy, which has premises in High Street and Macarthur Street in Wick, is to start providing the flu vaccination next week.
Dispenser Joanne Tod said: "This is the first time we have offered the service but we have had quite a few enquiries already. I think there is more pressure for flu vaccinations this year because of Covid-19.
"At the moment, we will be offering the service to any age group except children. We will be providing the vaccination at the shops in High Street and Macarthur Street."
Sutherland's Pharmacy in Traill Street, Thurso, is in the process of setting up a flu vaccination service for the first time.
Community pharmacist Andrew Paterson said it should be available in "two to three weeks' time".
He said: "Initially, we will be providing the service on a private basis but there is the possibility we will be doing NHS work as well. There has been an increase in demand generally and we have had quite a few enquiries so far. Covid-19 is a factor."
Mr Paterson added: "We have been looking at doing this for a couple of years as it is a service pharmacies are offering. We will be providing the vaccination throughout the flu season."
The Boots store in High Street, Wick, is not offering the service this year. It has done so previously but it is understood it is not able to do so this time.
However, elsewhere the company is restricting its flu jab service to over-65s as it attempts to clear an appointments backlog caused by demand in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A Boots spokesman said: "We know that this year our customers have been more conscious than ever about protecting the health of themselves and their families, and protecting against flu has been front of mind for many of us.
"As a result, we have seen more people than ever booking early to get their flu vaccinations. We have been closely monitoring our stock levels, and made the decision to pause taking new bookings for our private and NHS under-65s flu vaccination services."
Meanwhile, NHS Highland has reassured the public it has no plans to restrict those eligible for its free flu jabs.
Dr Tim Allison, director of public health, said: "We will still be looking to offer vaccine to everyone over 55 and to those over 50 if supply allows. Our ability to offer the vaccination to those aged 50-54 who have not been eligible before is similar for the rest of Scotland in that it is dependent on sufficient vaccine being available."
