Pharmacies deliver record number of flu jabs
- Over 1.8 million flu vaccinations already administered in community pharmacies
- Pharmacy vaccinations could be on track to top 3 million for the first time
Vulnerable people and members of the public have been flocking to community pharmacies this year to receive their annual flu vaccinations.
In just six weeks, pharmacies in England have vaccinated more than 1.8 million people – that’s a 30% increase on the same time last year, and means the sector could be on track to deliver a record 3 million flu jabs this winter.
The trend this year supports other evidence that people are increasingly choosing to visit local pharmacies as a first port of call.
Health leaders have highlighted the increased risk of flu this winter as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, stating that flu vaccinations for the most vulnerable are essential to reduce pressure on the NHS. The Government has also indicated its ambition to vaccinate more people against flu than ever before and reduce levels of inequality in uptake.
Requests for flu vaccinations are at an all-time high this year as people seek to protect themselves.
Alastair Buxton, PSNC Director of NHS Services, said:
“Local pharmacy teams have been leading the way in the NHS efforts to vaccinate a record number of people against flu. This is another brilliant performance by pharmacies and it reflects the hard work that contractors have been doing to prepare for a bumper flu vaccination season. We are on track for another record vaccination season: this shows just how much patients value the sector, and it will once again underline just how vital the pharmacy network is in meeting our nation’s public health needs.”
Related press coverage
Over the weekend, the Telegraph ran a story reporting that increased demand for flu jabs has caused some pharmacies in England to run out of stock. The article drew on interviews with PSNC’s Director of NHS Services, Alastair Buxton and PSNC Regional Representative Mark Burdon. PSNC has further reassured journalists that whilst we are seeing some regional variation where stocks have run low and even temporarily run out in some cases due to a surge in demand, more stock is expected to be delivered in the usual phased manner and we know that pharmacy teams are well practised at managing stock.
