FLU vaccines for the elderly have been staggered for release across Wales this year, causing delayed appointments for patients in Pembrokeshire.

Members of the public from across the county have expressed worries about having to wait longer than expected to receive the annual jab this winter.

In Haverfordwest, Anne Harries, 77, of North Street said she had been told there was no vaccine available at her surgery, St Thomas’, at the end of last month.

She instead made an appointment at Lloyds’ pharmacy, where she was able to have the jab but only after a two-week wait.

Anne is also concerned for her husband, David, 78, who takes regular medication, and was told he needs a prescription from his doctor before he can receive the jab.

A Pembroke Dock resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said she also had trouble booking an appointment for her 95-year-old mother to receive the jab from Argyle Street surgery.

Public Health Wales confirmed some patients had experienced delays because this year’s supply of the flu vaccine for the elderly had been staggered between September and November.

A spokesperson for the public health agency said GP surgeries plan how much flu vaccine to order in advance of the autumn flu season.

GPs can order further supplies from pharmaceutical companies during the season if stocks are available, but surgeries may stop offering flu vaccinations once their supply has been used up.

The PHW spokesperson said the uptake of the vaccine in people aged 65+ had been lower than expected this year than the same time last year.

There are three types of flu vaccine offered:

• The adjuvanted influenza vaccine (aTIV) injection is the most effective vaccine in those age 65+

• The quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) injection for people aged 18 to 64 and children from six months of age to two years old

• The nasal spray influenza vaccine (LAIV) works best in children

Though the aTIV vaccine has been staggered this year, other vaccines have been unaffected.