The commissioner is aware of a “small number of local concerns” and its regional teams will investigate "where appropriate", it told C+D yesterday (September 26).

“We would expect general practices and pharmacies to work together to ensure as many eligible people as possible take up the offer of a flu jab,” NHS England said.

“We recognise that community pharmacy services offer patients additional choice and convenience,” it added. 

C+D reported yesterday that a GP surgery had accused pharmacists of "accosting" patients to get their flu jab, and has also received reports of GPs threatening to "delist" patients who use the pharmacy flu service.

Speaking exclusively to C+D at the Pharmacy Show yesterday, NHS England’s assistant head of primary care Dr Jill Loader said she welcomed pharmacists sending in evidence of flu tensions with GPs.

Commenting on the rollout of this year's flu service, Dr Loader said NHS England's winter wellness campaign will officially launch on October 1, with a media campaign encouraging everyone to get their flu jab.

She expects flu vaccination numbers to be highest in November as a result, she added. 

Last winter, two pharmacies delivered more than 1,000 flu vaccinations each. Find out how superintendent Antonio Monachello plans to repeat his success this season here.