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There are opportunities for pharmacy to support the NHS in delivering free flu vaccinations to patients at risk by targeting people unlikely to access the service at GP surgeries.

That’s the conclusion of a study looking at why some patients in at-risk groups, who were eligible to receive their flu vaccination free on the NHS, choose to pay privately at a pharmacy instead.

Data from a sample of patients accessing the private service in 13 pharmacies showed that, of the 199 patients eligible for free treatment, 100 had been contacted by their GP surgery to go for their vaccination, but had chosen not to go. Reasons given for preferring pharmacy included accessibility, convenience and preference for a pharmacy environment. 

Commenting on the study by Nottingham University and Boots UK, RPS president Martin Astbury says: “This winter the NHS has agreed all pharmacies in London should provide free flu vaccinations to those over 65 and in at-risk groups.

“Pharmacies can complement GP services by providing free NHS and private vaccinations. Ideally we’d like to see this replicated across the whole of the country.”