WINTER flu jab planning for Northern Ireland is in "early stages" and contingent on the Covid-19 pandemic, health chiefs have confirmed.
The Public Health Agency (PHA), which is responsible for the north's vaccination programmes, said its plans "can and will change" depending on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak amid fears of a second surge this autumn.
GP surgeries have in recent years introduced weekend and evening clinics to administer the flu vaccine to at-risk groups between October and November, with lengthy queues experienced at busier practices on Saturday mornings.
However, due to social distancing restrictions - which deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said will continue for potentially another 18 months before a vaccine is discovered - an alternative method of delivering the jab must be found.
Last Thursday, England's Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty wrote to GP practices and community pharmacies requesting them to "urgently review" their vaccine orders for seasonal flu in light of Covid-19.
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"This season it will be more important than ever to ensure that sufficient stocks of the recommended adult flu vaccines have been ordered for your eligible patients," he said.
Professor Whitty said he recognised that delivering the flu immunisation programme is "likely to be more challenging because of the impact of Covid-19 on our health and social care services".
West Belfast GP George O'Neill said planning for Northern Ireland should begin as soon as possible given the high level of demand expected.
He said he had received no communication on the issue.
"There is no doubt people will be rushing to get their winter flu vaccination as they want extra protection. What we have to keep in perspective is seasonal flu kills less than one per cent," Dr O'Neill said.
"But if someone tests postive for Covid-19 and gets the flu it will not be good."
A PHA spokesman said: "Planning for the flu vaccination programme for 2020 is in its early stages.
"Plans can and will change depending on the situation Northern Ireland finds itself in with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. These plans will be communicated to those set up to administer the flu vaccination programme in a timely manner."
