NHS England recommissions national flu service
Commissioning body says almost quarter of a million people benefited from the scheme last winter
The national pharmacy flu service in England has been recommissioned for 2016-17, NHS England has announced.
The commissioning body said it will back the service for a second year running, after almost a quarter of a million patients received their vaccination at a community pharmacy last winter
More than 10.4 million flu vaccinations were delivered across the country last winter. This included more than 240,000 who decided to get their flu jab in a community pharmacy, after not being vaccinated in this setting last year, NHS England said this morning (May 9).
It hopes the early announcement of the service will give pharmacies time to manage and order stock of the vaccine, it added.
Same terms and fees
The terms and fees of the service will remain the same as last winter, and further guidance will be given to contractors "once legislation and other documents have been updated", NHS England said.
England's chief pharmaceutical officer Keith Ridge said he is "pleased" that the "more convenient" service will continue to be offered to patients in community pharmacies this year.
Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) director of services Alastair Buxton agreed that the early announcement will help contractors prepare for the service.
The Twitter reaction:
Absolutely delighted they have announced it now and hence give #phcy teams time to get organised and ready in time https://t.co/YTz95MtRPT
— Rekha Shah (@KcwLpc) May 9, 2016
Great news that @NHSEngland has recommissioned the NHS flu service from pharmacy @PSNCNews @Rosieanntaylor pic.twitter.com/cGXtSDwxYf
— Mohammed Hussain (@EPSPharmacist) May 9, 2016
@KcwLpc @TheMMP1 This should be seen as meeting patient needs and complementing rather competing with other providers @PSNCNews
— Michael Holden (@Michaelwsh) May 9, 2016
When will your pharmacy start preparing for the coming flu service?
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