The result of a snap C+D poll has shown 74% of community pharmacy want the government to centrally procure and supply adult flu vaccines free of charge to community pharmacies for the NHS flu jab service.
C+D previously reported that a Community Pharmacy England (CPE) press release from November 20 shared an NHS England (NHSE) survey asking pharmacy owners for their views on this.
Read more: Pharmacists consulted on national procurement of flu vaccines
The move would bring central procurement and supply by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in line with every other NHS vaccine programme according to NHSE, as the adult flu vaccine is the only exception to this.
Of the 254 votes in the poll last week, 20% of respondents voted "no", while 3% answered “don’t know” and 2% voted “unsure”.
CPE director of NHS Services Alastair Buxton said central procurement of adult flu vaccines “have pros and cons for pharmacy owners which are dependent on the design of any distribution system for the vaccine”.
“The efficiency of any distribution system from a pharmacy owner perspective and the equity of distribution of vaccine across all providers within the flu vaccination programme would be key matters on which to judge any future proposals from the NHS,” he said.
Read more: Which pharmacy is offering the cheapest flu jabs for autumn 2024?
The NHSE survey is also seeking the views of general practices, manufacturers of flu vaccines, and wholesalers, and will close on December 17.
CPE said the survey would help NHSE understand how changes to the current supply chain model may increase or decrease efficiencies, or enable the NHS to respond to in-season programme changes.
Read more: ‘It shocked me’: LPC chief urges pharmacists to get flu jab
It added it would help understand direct supply into areas of low uptake and target specific areas and populations, and create more equity in how vaccines are distributed around the country.
The survey is in response to the NHS Vaccination Strategy published in December 2023 which sought to “improve the efficiency and responsiveness of vaccine supply” said NHSE.
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It's good news that pharmacy teams opinions are being sought, there is a sense of us being invisible much of the time and being left to pick up the pieces of what can feel like well intentioned but poorly thought through processes. However 74% of a survey is hardly overwhelming when it represents only 254 votes. Can it be taken as a mandate to inform policy, as appears to be suggested? If it stimulates discussion and thought, great! If not, the NHS and other bodies will lick their lips and polish the very boots that will, as usual, walk all over pharmacy. This does not assist CPE in negotiating a secure future for pharmacy.