Frustrated customers have taken to social media after being unable to get a flu vaccine jab as infections soar. The UK has been hit by a massive rise in flu cases, with an NHS official advising anyone with symptoms to wear masks in public.

A number of hospitals have declared emergencies, and schools have been forced to close. An average of 2,660 flu patients were in hospital in England each day in the week to December 7, including 106 in critical care. This is up 55% from 1,717 the previous week, when 69 were in critical care.

The figure is higher than at this point last winter, when the average stoodat 1,861. It is also much higher than at this stage two years ago in December 2023, when the figure stood at 402, and at this point in 2022 (1,248).

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Health officials have urged thevulnerable to get vaccinated, but many have booked in jabs and arrived at Boots only to find there is no vaccine. Helen said: “@BootsUK Booked a flu jab online 4 wks ago, paid for it, got email confirmation my prescription had been delivered to my chosen pharmacy. Today Boots has cancelled my appointment because vaccine has run out. Who got the dose I paid for and was waiting for me?”

Kim said: “My local Boots have cancelled my flu vaccine 3 or 4 times. This can’t be helping the situation. @wesstreeting Boots keep cancelling people’s flu vaccine appointments. Surely this isn’t helping? You have to wait ages at the GPs and many aren’t eligible, of course.”

Andreja said: ”Booked and paid only to receive a phone call a day later that the Boots appointment been cancelled due to lack of vaccine. Called Tesco and got same response.”

Ben said: ”I’ve just had my second (paid) flu vaccination appointment cancelled by Boots. Phoned to ask why - they said there’s currently a shortage of flu vaccines.” Jane added: “I’m not eligible for a free one so for the last two months have been trying to pay from one. All pharmacies where I live have no vaccine available. Boots have cancelled 4 appointments on me a few days before.”

Reach went to a Boots outlet in a Tesco store and observed people arriving for flu jabs to be told by the pharmacist they had run out and it was unavailable in the area at all. They advised people to call around other pharmacies to see if they had any vaccines available.

A Boots spokesperson confirmed that they have limited spaces available, saying: “We have seen strong demand for flu jabs throughout the winter season. We continue to carry out pre-booked appointments and there are a small number of appointments still available for both NHS and private patients in selected stores.

“Many of our stores across the UK also offer vaccinations on a walk-in basis.“

Boots claimed it was 'not experiencing' shortages and said it was 'not aware of any supply issues in the market.' It said people being able to get jabs was dependent on 'store availability'.

Nick Thayer, Head of Policy for The Company Chemists’ Association, which represents large chains such as Boots and Superdrug, confirmed that some pharmacies are running low on the vaccine and you might need to shop around.

He said: “There is no national shortage of flu vaccines, but the bulk of them are administered in October and November. By the time you get to December some places are running low, and some will have none left from their original allocation.”

National Medical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care, Prof Julian Redhead said: “Today’s numbers confirm our deepest concerns: the health service is bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter. Cases are incredibly high for this time of year and there is no peak in sight yet.

“The NHS has prepared earlier for winter than ever before, but despite that we know that ballooning flu cases coinciding with strikes may stretch our staff close to breaking point in the coming weeks.

“There have never been more ways for people can get the care they need, so for non-life-threatening care, people should call NHS 111 or use 111 online, which can direct you to the most appropriate place.

“As always, use A&E & 999 for life threatening conditions and serious injuries, and with just a couple of weeks left to ensure maximum immunity from flu for Christmas Day, I urge anyone eligible to come forward to get their jab.”