ELDERLY LOCAL COUPLE TOLD WAIT OR PAY FOR FLU JAB

Albert Heart, 81, and his wife Edna, 76, were told by their GP in Folkestone, they cannot get jabs until the end of next month, but Mr Heart said that they were told we could go to the hospital and get a jab if we paid £22 each.

Thousands of old people's lives are at risk  because of a shortage of vaccine flu vaccine.

Vulnerable people around the country have been turned away by GPs who say they will get no new stocks until the end of November.

But many more people than normal have applied for the annual jab and the Department of Health admits there are delays of up to four weeks in some areas.

Over-65s and vulnerable people such as those with asthma or bronchitis can have free jabs.

In the Commons this week he asked Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt: "Is the natural public concern causing an excessive demand for seasonal vaccine?"

Ms Hewitt said she was also concerned about a run on vaccines but was told this was not the case.

She added: "I am assured by our experts there are adequate supplies available to ensure anybody at risk can be vaccinated."