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Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the BMA's GP committee, has said that patients can help their general practices by waiting to hear from their surgery, rather than phoning the practice to inquire.

This advice follows the announcement that their will be a delay in the supply of vaccines to all surgeries. Whilst some should get supplies in October and November, some vaccines may not arrive until December.

The DoH has reassured GPs that there will be no shortage of vaccine, but the delay put pressure on practices to ensure that all at risk patients are immunised before the winter ‘flu season sets in.

Patients have been urged to await contact from their GP to ease the burden of demand. Dr Meldrum said: ‘GPs know who their at-risk patients are and will contact them when their vaccine supplies are available.’