Pharmacies get go-ahead to deliver flu service from Friday
Community pharmacists have been given the official go-ahead to start providing flu vaccinations from tomorrow, September 1.
All the documents – the pharmaceutical service directions, the service specification and an updated version of the patient group direction (PGD) – needed to launch the 2017-18 national flu service have been signed ready for Friday’s launch, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has confirmed.
The service's directions – which provide the legal basis for the flu service, and include some amendments to the original 2013 instructions – were published yesterday (August 30), following the publication of the PGD and service specifications on Tuesday.
“The completion of the regulatory changes means community pharmacy teams can now start offering the NHS flu vaccination service to eligible patients from September 1,” said PSNC director of NHS services Alastair Buxton.
Some pharmacy teams may still be waiting for deliveries of vaccinations, PSNC added, depending on arrangements with their suppliers.
For the first time, this season community pharmacists can vaccinate morbidly obese individuals. Read more about this newest eligible patient group here.
Community pharmacies in England delivered a total of nearly one million vaccinations as part of the 2016-17 flu service, according to NHS Business Services Authority data.
Mr Buxton said he hoped to see a repeat of last year's success “to show patients and the NHS just what community pharmacy is capable of”.
Destroy “incomplete” PGD
PSNC warned that an “incomplete version” of the PGD had been uploaded to the NHS England website on Tuesday morning.
It advised contractors to "destroy any copies" of the PGD that are missing a signature from NHS England on page five.
Find the latest guidance and links to all the up-to-date documents for the 2017-18 national flu service on the PSNC website.
Pharmacies gearing up on Twitter
Service spec is out for the flu jab. This year is going to be a busy one with flu jabs.https://t.co/oyqKVpVdbh
— mylocumchoice (@mylocumchoice) August 29, 2017
Don't forget to speak to carers about NHS flu vaccination @CPWYinfo https://t.co/DvXdXwvEKM
— Ruth Buchan (@RuthENBuchan) August 30, 2017
#Summer's not even over and the #flu #vaccination material is arriving in #pharmacy! Call to reserve your jab for next month & get covered! pic.twitter.com/GSAV9xiFW6
— Wyvern Pharmacy (@wyvernpharmacy) August 30, 2017
Updating branches anaphylaxis kits for this year's #pharmacyflu service. Hope none are needed but good to have for any anaphylactic event
— Ben Merriman (@blmerriman) August 30, 2017
Flu season on its way . Don't let the #flu interrupt you ! Free Nhs flu jabs available from 19th September
— Orrell Park Pharmacy (@DianaCheung1) August 30, 2017
Yes, it's almost time for your flu vaccination again. Available from the end of next week from Stoltons Pharmacy pic.twitter.com/FOFuuIEUmM
— StoltonsPharmacy (@StoltonsPharm) August 30, 2017
How are you preparing for the next flu season?