Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, visited Whitworth Chemists in York last week (September 2) to promote the NHS England-commissioned initiative – the day after it launched for a second year – and praised the “excellent” and “accessible” service.

The region's seven other MPs will also visit their local pharmacy over September and October, according to Community Pharmacy North Yorkshire (CPNY).

CPNY chief executive officer Jack Davies told C+D that last year’s national flu service was “incredibly successful” in North Yorkshire, where the number of jabs delivered by pharmacists increased by 283% on 2014-15.

Although CPNY has been proactive in encouraging MPs to promote flu vaccinations in the past, Mr Davies said this is the first time all eight of the region's MPs will come together to take part.

Many pharmacies in North Yorkshire have been providing flu vaccinations for over five years, both as a private and locally commissioned service, he added.

Discussing “ongoing issues”

Mr Davies said the visits will give CPNY a chance to discuss “ongoing pharmacy issues” such as the government’s proposed £170 million cut to English pharmacy funding, which pharmacy minister David Mowat announced on Monday (September 5) was delayed beyond October.

Local MPs are “generally very positive” about the sector, and understand the “social capital” that community pharmacies can bring in rural areas, Mr Davies added.

Watch superintendent Antonio Monachello explain how his Kent pharmacy carried out over 1,500 flu jabs last year.