Taken into consideration the expected rise in the number of flu cases and shortages of flu vaccines locally, the contingency stocks of shots are being supplied to deal with the progressing menace.

As per the officials, as the vaccine ordered this year was much more than the last year, so there should not be shortfall of them; it is just that the flu stocks are piled somewhere else and the need is cropping up where inventory is diminishing.

GP practices are being urged to give away their surplus stocks to those requiring the same and several doses would also be earned from Europe.

The Government has a stock of 12.7m doses for those patients who lie in the high-risk bracket such as pregnant women, people above 65 and those with chronic illnesses, but GPs if require can order some doses form this inventory.

Citing the grim situation, the Government will contemplate over buying flu vaccine centrally in the next year so that no shortfall is faced. As per the present system, GPs get the required number of vaccines directly from manufacturers.

GPs and local NHS organisations from Monday onwards can order GlaxoSmithKline's pandemic vaccine known as Pandemrix, which only safeguards against swine flu, while the seasonal vaccine provides protection against all flu strains of the season.