# 3593
While this report seems to be based upon one (well placed) doctor’s opinion, it is hardly surprising to learn that the UK’s fast-tracked program that hoped to begin delivering pandemic jabs to the public later this month may be falling behind schedule.
This (slightly reformatted) report from Medical News Today.
Swine Flu Vaccination 'to Be Delayed By At Least Six Weeks', UK
Article Date: 05 Aug 2009 - 10:00 PDTThe GP leading on swine flu for the BMA has told Pulse the planned vaccination campaign will be delayed by 'at least six weeks'. Such a delay would ruin the Government's plans of having the first doses of swine flu vaccine available by the end of August.
Instead, the vaccine would not become available until October at the earliest - when a major surge of swine flu cases is expected.
Dr Peter Holden, lead GP negotiator on swine flu for the BMA, told Pulse lengthy delays would be inevitable because of the logistical nightmare of trying to run two different flu vaccine campaigns at once.
The problem has been compounded because of the lack of crossover between the seasonal and swine flu priority groups - as revealed by Pulse last week - limiting the potential for combined flu clinics.
Dr Holden said: 'We will be negotiating on the assumption that in patients eligible for seasonal and swine flu vaccines, one of the swine flu doses will be given at the same time.
'But the August prediction is far too optimistic. I don't think we will have confidence to deliver both vaccination campaigns until at least six weeks later.'
