Originally published December 7 2005
Tories attack British government over flu vaccine shortage
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Tory leader Michael Howard blames the current vaccine shortage in Britain on poor management and incompetence, while Prime Minister Tony Blair claims that demand has simply overwhelmed the supply of 14 million doses, which will be augmented with 200,000 doses at some point in January.
Ministers admit there is a shortfall in the vaccine but hope all priority patients will receive the jab by the end of the winter.
Mr Howard told MPs the "bungle" - and fears about energy supplies - showed the government was on the "skids".
But Prime Minister Tony Blair branded Mr Howard's claims "utterly absurd".
The Department of Health says the 14 million flu vaccine doses ordered by GPs from manufacturers and held in a contingency pot by government had all been used.
It has ordered 200,000 more doses, but those will not be available until January.
The government blames the shortage on demand outstripping supply, most likely fuelled by public concerns about the threat of a possible bird flu pandemic.
He accused her of blaming GPs for the problems.
And he asked: "If the department can so comprehensively bungle the routine administration of the seasonal flu vaccine, what confidence can we have in their ability to cope with a pandemic of bird flu?"
On Monday the Department of Health said there were 14 million doses ordered from manufacturers to cover England.
Mr Howard suggested that both the shortage of vaccines and fears of energy shortages showed Mr Blair was losing his grip.
Mr Blair said there had been contingency plans for flu vaccines and last year 1 million doses had been left unused and had to be destroyed.
Later, Ms Hewitt defended her department and denied blaming doctors for the problems.
"I'm stressing the fact that we have got more people vaccinated than ever before."
Some GPs were running short of the vaccine and others who still had supplies were being asked to share them with nearby doctors, Ms Hewitt told BBC News.
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