Flu Vaccinations
Flu Vaccinations 2024/25 Season
Each year from September through to March the NHS runs a seasonal flu vaccination campaign aiming to vaccinate all patients who are at risk of developing more serious complications from the virus.
Wherever possible, patients should be offered flu and COVID-19 vaccination at the same time.
The Annual flu letter, published on 12th March 2024, announced the delayed start to the main flu vaccination programme compared to previous years, where the programme had commenced on 1st September.
NHS England’s decision to change the start date is based on evidence that flu vaccine’s effectiveness can wane over time in adults, so the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised moving the start of the programme for most adults to the beginning of October. This is on the understanding, that the majority of the vaccinations will be completed by the end of November, closer to the time that the flu season commonly starts.
As a result, from 1st September 2024, pharmacies will only be able to vaccinate pregnant women, as they are the exception to the new rule.
From 3rd October 2024, vaccination of the other adult cohorts can commence.
The service specification is clear that pharmacy owners will not be paid for vaccinations administered outside of the announced and authorised dates for vaccination.
Amendments have been made to the Annual Flu Letter due to the unavailability of the recombinant quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVr) for this year’s flu vaccination programme.
The amendment introduces a new flu vaccine, the high-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV-HD), which is only licensed for individuals aged 60 years and over.
Read the statement of the amendment
Key Information
For more information and key documents, please follow the links below link
NHS England » Community pharmacy seasonal influenza vaccine service
National flu immunisation programme 2024 to 2025 letter – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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