Exclusive: Government delay could see people miss out on vaccines

The Company Chemists’ Association, which represents large pharmacy groups, told HSJ the government and NHS England need to “urgently” clarify how many people it wants vaccinated for flu this year, as well as making changes to regulations.

An expanded and successful winter vaccine programme is seen as key to avoiding potentially catastrophic demand for hospital beds, with flu demand coinciding with covid-19 surges.

Malcolm Harrison, chief executive, said: “We need decisions made now. We have an ongoing dialogue with NHS England but they seem to be waiting on secretary of state’s decision on which groups need vaccinating. That is something [the health secretary, Matt Hancock] needs to make a decision about very, very soon.”

He added: “It’s not just the flu, there is the potential for a covid vaccine coming down the line. If we are to vaccinate 40-60 million people we need an operational form through which to do that. We need to galvanise NHSE and the Department of Health and Social Care… there is an awful lot that needs to be done to make this happen”.

HSJ understands a policy paper outlining how the flu programme could be expanded this winter was presented to Matt Hancock at least a fortnight ago. It was previously reported that the government was considering extending the flu jab to all over 50s but has held off finalising plans over concerns it may not be able to buy enough vaccines to make this possible. A CCA policy paper confirms this.

The association’s demands come after Sir Simon Stevens said on Sunday the NHS is “going to need the biggest-ever flu immunisation season we’ve ever had” this winter, and any covid vaccine would require training of “up to tens of thousands of NHS staff” to deliver it. NHSE was as of Sunday still in negotiation with the Treasury over extra funding for the remainder of 2020-21, potentially including for the larger vaccine programme.  

Mr Harrison added that in “any normal year” vaccination plans would already be in place ready to start vaccinating people in September. He added the pressure was also higher this year as there was an “additional expectation” that those eligible will have received their flu vaccine by the end of November, and data from Australia showed the UK needed to prepare for a “significant increase in demand”.

He said the CCA had held “initial conversations” with local authorities about using places of worship, town halls and car parks to make mass vaccinations a possibility. But he said making concrete plans is reliant on the government changing the regulations around vaccinations.

Regulations currently restrict pharmacies to providing vaccinations in a consulting room and delivered by a pharmacist.

The CCA has concerns around the additional costs around personal protective equipment, training extra staff, and if vulnerable patients need to be vaccinated at home.

A DHSC spokesman said: “We are currently working with Public Health England and NHS England and Improvement on the delivery of the expanded flu vaccination programme. We will be publishing details soon so that local areas can plan in advance of the flu season.”

Community pharmacies have provided a national NHS flu vaccine programme in England since 2015.

Dr Krishna Kasaraneni, of the BMA’s GP committee, said: “The BMA is in discussions with NHSE/I about the many practical challenges practices will have to overcome this year in order to be able to deliver a successful flu programme, including the potential for using other sites other than practices should that be necessary.”