Key Summary
- This is the first national NHS vaccination campaign to be delivered solely through community pharmacies.
- The vaccination programme began on 20 July, and by 31 August 246,089 doses of the MenB vaccine have been administered.
- Those who are eligible can now book online via the NHS National Booking Service or contact a participating pharmacy to book an appointment.
This is the first national NHS vaccination campaign to be delivered solely through community pharmacies.
Figures published on Thursday (3) show that since the vaccination programme began on 20 July, 246,089 doses of the MenB vaccine have been administered till 31 August.
NHS vaccination leads are urging young people to book their second jab, as freshers weeks begin in the coming weeks.
Those who are eligible can now book online via the NHS National Booking Service for appointments at community pharmacies or contact a participating pharmacy to book an appointment.
Serious illness
Meningococcal B infection can cause serious, life-threatening problems, including inflammation of the lining of the brain and sepsis (blood poisoning).
This can lead to life-changing disabilities such as amputations, hearing loss and brain damage – and in some cases can prove fatal.
The bacteria that cause MenB disease can be spread through close contact with an infected person.
This can be through kissing, sharing drinks or vapes, or prolonged close contact with the person for long periods of time, such as living in the same home.
Students in their first year of university have a risk that is about seven times higher than that of young people of a similar age who do not go to university, according to this study.
NHS national director for primary care and community services Dr Amanda Doyle said: “High Street pharmacies up and down the country are making it easy and convenient to get jabbed, so if you’re eligible, please come forward and book as soon as possible to give yourself the best protection.”
Meningococcal B infection can cause serious, life-threatening problems including inflammation of the lining of the brain and sepsis (blood poisoning).
A laudable feat: Pharmacy leaders
Company Chemists’ Association Chief Executive Malcolm Harrison said: “Almost a quarter of a million MenB vaccinations have been delivered by pharmacies in just six weeks. This shows once again what community pharmacy can achieve for patients, even with only limited time to prepare.
"This rapid rollout of a critical vaccination service demonstrates the role pharmacies can play in providing convenient and accessible vaccination services. With better notice and planning in future, the sector could likely do even more to support NHS vaccination programmes.
"The role of community pharmacy in providing vaccination programmes is growing but can still go further. With the right commissioning, pharmacies can help increase uptake across a wider range of NHS vaccines and protect even more people.
"We strongly encourage all young adults who are eligible for the MenB vaccine to come forward and receive both doses for full protection.”
Commenting on new NHS England statistics on MenB vaccine take-up, the National Pharmacy Association Chief Executive Henry Gregg said: "Pharmacies are proud to have delivered vaccinations to nearly 250,000 young people in just a matter of weeks.
"As outbreaks earlier this year have shown, MenB can be a very serious illness and it's important that any student about to embark on university for the first time comes forward to their local pharmacy for protection.
"This data shows there's a clear demand from young people to be vaccinated against MenB and we are calling on the NHS to commit to making this an annual campaign.
"Uptake for vaccines has dropped in recent years, particularly for adolescents, so the NHS should use pharmacies in more vaccination campaigns to help protect more people against preventable illness."
