A junior doctor in Bristol today made national headlines by ensuring that all people classed ‘high-risk’ flu sufferers would receive a jab to reduce their likelihood of contracting the potentially life-threatening virus.
Dr Jacob Bishop, 35, was commended by the BMA for his research into a suitable substitute for the expensive and hard-to-come-by flu jab – an injection known as the ‘Leminject’. “The Leminject is mixed by the administering doctor or nurse using a sachet of pleasant smelling powder and hot – not boiling – water, then injected into a suitable vein using a standard needle”. Dr Bishop also noted that costs could be cut further by wiping the needles off on a sleeve and used again.
Not all medical experts are as enthusiastic about this development. GlaxoSmithKline marketing executive Timothy Mansis reported that the use of Lemsip as an intravenous substance would have a negative impact on patients, with the 20p sachets becoming instantly addictive and “terrorist”. Mansis insisted that patients should not turn their back on the £15 shots of Pandemrix© by GSK, noting that the simplicity and user-friendly design of Leminject was just “too good to be true”.
In an unrelated press release GSK announced the launch of their new generation flu jab – Pro-Lemonastix© - later this week.