The publication of the annual flu letter for 2017/18 by the Department of Health, Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England confirmed that the Community Pharmacy Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Advanced Service would continue in 2017/18. The annual flu letter also lists the flu vaccines (in Appendix F) which are available for use during the 2017/18 season.

The service can be provided by any community pharmacy in England that fully meets the requirements for provision of the service and has notified NHS England of their intention to begin providing the service by completing a notification form on the NHS BSA website. The links below provide full details on the service requirements and associated briefing and support materials.

PSNC Briefing 055/17: Guidance on the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Advanced Service 2017/18 provides detailed guidance on the 2017/18 service. 

On 5th February 2018, NHS England issued a letter to all community pharmacies and general practices giving final advice on ordering flu vaccine for the 2018/19 season.

The guidance, in a letter from NHS England’s National Medical Director and Director of Primary Care, and Public Health England’s Medical Director asks GPs and community pharmacy contractors to ensure their influenza vaccine orders for the 2018/19 season use the most effective vaccines for the population.

The letter says the clinical evidence is clear that for the 2018-19 winter season, GP practices and pharmacy contractors should offer:

• The adjuvanted trivalent vaccine (aTIV) for all 65s and over; and
• The quadrivalent vaccine (QIV) for people in the 18 to under 65s at risk group.

The letter also states that:

• GPs and pharmacy contractors should review all orders (provisional and firm) for the 2018/19 season and ensure these are in line with the evidence-based clinical view;
• Vaccine suppliers have confirmed that there will be enough adjuvanted trivalent vaccine and quadrivalent influenza vaccine to meet demand;
• Orders for these vaccines will need to be placed by 29th March 2018;
• There is no change to the way in which contractors will be reimbursed for vaccines administered – the system will be the same as for the current 2017/18 service; and
• If pharmacy contractors encounter any difficulties from a manufacturer placing or amending an order, they should advise their local NHS England team.

The letter also contains the answers to a number of frequently asked questions, including on changing or switching vaccine orders.