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With UK vaccination rates continuing to fall, a new report calls for community pharmacies to deliver more NHS vaccines to drive uptake, improve patient confidence and prevent ill health.

The report from the Pharmacy Vaccinations Development Group, a coalition of stakeholders from across the vaccine supply chain, highlights the significant variation in vaccine uptake due to factors such as poor access to healthcare and insufficient capacity.

Vaccination coverage decreased for all 14 childhood vaccines in 2023/24 and none met the WHO vaccination rate of 95 per cent required to achieve herd immunity, the report notes. In 2018, WHO determined that the UK could no longer be considered ‘measles-free’ due to the declining uptake of MMR vaccine. 

Having delivered over a quarter of Covid vaccines to date and administered NHS flu vaccinations over an extended period of time, the report outlines how pharmacies could play an even bigger role in improving immunisation coverage.

The report comes over a year after the publication of NHS England’s vaccination strategy, which outlines three key priorities – improving access with vaccination delivery in convenient local places, targeted outreach to support uptake in underserved populations, and a more joined-up prevention and vaccination offer.

The group urges policymakers to:

• Commission pharmacies to administer all vaccines for eligible older adults, and expand existing pilots and early adopters
• Expand the National Booking Service to all vaccines and integrate with existing pharmacy systems to provide a one-stop-shop for patients
• Review supply models to ensure vaccines are available for patients when and where they need them.

The Company Chemists’ Association is a member of Pharmacy Vaccinations Development Group. Chief executive Malcolm Harrison commented: “Community pharmacy has a strong track record in administering flu and Covid-19 vaccines. Pharmacists are highly trusted by local communities and already play a huge role in combatting misinformation and ensuring vaccines reach underserved communities.

“It is time to awaken the sleeping giant that is community pharmacy and commission pharmacies to administer more NHS vaccines. With people typically visiting their community pharmacist twelve times more than their GP, this is a no-brainer.”

The NPA backed the idea of expanding the administration of vaccines in community pharmacies. Olivier Picard, vice-chair, said: “Our sector’s unmatched level of access and convenience makes this an obvious area for growth. It clearly fits the aspirations of the forthcoming NHS 10 Year Plan, to prevent sickness and move more care into communities.

“Pharmacies have consistently demonstrated their ability to improve vaccine uptake, including in diverse and generally underserved communities,” he added.