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NHS England has said it will increase the number of pharmacies taking part in its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines pilot from 50 to as many as 200 in 2025-26.

NHSE’s pledge to expand the programme this year follows its commissioning of 25 pharmacies in Mid and South Essex ICB and Suffolk and North-East Essex ICB in August last year.

NHSE said it will “expand and support evaluation of the community pharmacy vaccination offer by up to 200 sites in identified target areas”.

Community pharmacy’s role in RSV vaccines provision is growing. NHSE also recently invited 66 pharmacies in the North-West to tender for an RSV and pertussis vaccination enhanced service by May 6.

Under the RSV immunisation programme, people who were aged 75 to 79 on September 1, 2024 will be offered a vaccine by August 31, 2025. A vaccine will also be offered to those turning 75 and pregnant women from 28 weeks.

Company Chemists’ Association chief executive Malcolm Harrison welcomed the expansion of the pilot but urged NHSE to “continue to expand the number of pharmacies included in the programme at pace”.

Insisting pharmacies have “an excellent track record” of delivering flu and Covid vaccines, Harrison said: “Pharmacies have delivered over a quarter of Covid-19 vaccines to date, and increased patient access, particularly for underserved communities.”

He also urged NHSE to commission pharmacies to deliver “a wider range of NHS vaccines nationally including RSV, pneumonia, shingles, meningitis, and routine childhood vaccinations”. He insisted that would free up 10 million GP appointments each year.

“Alongside existing pharmaceutical services, this expansion would increase access and give patients greater choice.” Harrison said.

“This is especially important as vaccine uptake remains a concern, especially amongst underserved and vaccine-hesitant cohorts.”