PEOPLE who are eligible for a free flu jab are being asked to be patient if they haven’t yet got an appointment.

Health chiefs say there is a high demand and supplies of the vaccine are being prioritised by GP practices based on clinical need.

Dr Andrew Lee, of NHS Vale of York CCG, said: “We are prioritising the highest risk patient groups first, but across York and North Yorkshire we fully intend to reach all eligible patients who want to have the free vaccination. Further vaccine supplies will be coming soon to resupply practices and all patients who are eligible for the free vaccination will be contacted by their practice in due course, if they have not already been contacted.”

At risk and priority groups include: residents in care homes and other long-stay care facilities, people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, front-line health and social care workers, carers and assistants to those people with a Personal Health Budget, those living in a household with people who have shielded and any people in a clinical risk group (aged from six months to less than 65).

If you are in an ‘at risk’ group and have not yet got an appointment, your GP practice will contact you when further supplies are available.

For more information about at risk groups and what counts as a clinical ‘at risk group’ go to: nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/who-should-have-flu-vaccine/