Parts of the U.K. sees flu vax shortages

The BBC is reporting there are shortages of the flu vaccine in some areas, forcing doctors to turn away patients seeking the vaccination. And while the Department of Health has admitted to "local supply" problems, it hasn't established how widespread they are.

Vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur MSD said the DoH has asked it to check the number of doses available and how many could be sent from Europe--including doses that are not licensed for use in the U.K., the Guardian reports. And the government has made similar requests to other suppliers.

More than 14 million doses have already been delivered to GPs this winter, and until early December there seemed to be plenty in the system. But, as GP Rosemary Leonard explains, "Now unfortunately there has been a rush on the vaccine and my surgery ran out yesterday."

- get more from the BBC
- check out the Guardian's story