EXCLUSIVE

London pharmacies will deliver a flu vaccination service this winter – regardless of whether a national service is given the go-ahead.

The city-wide programme – which allows pharmacists to vaccinate under-18s – has been recommissioned by NHS England’s regional team for the capital, Pharmacy London chief executive Rekha Shah told C+D yesterday (April 4).

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) told C+D today (April 5) that it is still working to secure a second national flu service “as soon as possible”. But Ms Shah said the London-wide scheme would continue “whether the national service goes ahead or not.”

“Between 1,200 and 1,300 pharmacies were involved last year, and [NHS England head of immunisations for London] Kenny Gibson’s words were that we are ‘a really important service’ that will be needed next season.”

Last year, the London service involved pharmacists vaccinating patients aged two to 18 who had a serious medical condition but could not receive the Fluenz Tetra nasal spray, the normal vaccine for this age group. They also vaccinated frontline health workers, staff from NHS England, Public Health England and special needs schools.

If a national scheme is not agreed, pharmacists in London will repeat the same arrangements as last year. Pharmacists have also been recommissioned to provide the pneumococcal vaccine, Ms Shah added.

Avoiding friction with GPs

Ms Shah said that the early announcement of the scheme means pharmacies can put measures in place to avoid the “friction” that occurred between pharmacy and GP practices in some parts of the country last flu season.

“There was quite a lot of anger from GPs and concerns about the impact on GP practice workload,” Ms Shah said. “But getting this early decision about the London service means that we can make the shift towards earlier vaccination.”

Was the national service an opportunity or a hassle? Listen back to C+D's flu service webinar.
 

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