Following negotiations between CPW and the Welsh government, an uplift of £1.75 per vaccination has been agreed for the 2020-21 season, to reflect the “additional workload associated” with providing the service during the COVID-19 pandemic, CPW said earlier this week (September 16)

This year, the NHS flu vaccination programme has been expanded to cover more patient groups than previous seasons – including patients over the age of 50, adult residents in Welsh prisons, and household contacts of those on the NHS shielded patient list.

The total amount payable to  pharmacies in Wales per flu vaccination is £1.75 more than pharmacy contractors in England will receive. Although an uplift of 50p has been negotiated for English pharmacies this flu season, the total “combined value” to be paid per vaccination is £10.08, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee announced last week (September 11.

CPW: Flu vaccination service “more complex” this season

CPW chief executive Russell Goodway told C+D earlier this week (September 16) that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the flu vaccination service would be “more complex, more time consuming and, consequently, more expensive for contractors to deliver”.

The fee uplift will make sure pharmacies can work with other flu vaccine providers so that all those who need a jab can get one, Mr Goodway added.

Pharmacy teams “eager” to launch the service

Pete Horrocks, superintendent pharmacist at the 70-strong Knights Pharmacy that has five branches in north Wales, said he is “grateful that CPW has negotiated a fair uplift to this year’s flu vaccination service”.

The increased fee “takes into account not only the additional COVID-19 challenges” that pharmacies face, but also the “importance of the service” for patients, he added.

“Patient group directives in Wales have been a little delayed compared to England so we are eager to get the service launched – many of our patients are requesting this now,” Mr Horrocks said.