Key Summary
- One of the proposals is to increase flexibility for community pharmacies to deliver vaccination services outside registered premises
- Another proposal was to allow community pharmacies to administer any vaccine against an infectious disease caused by a virus or bacteria
- Pharmacists should be allowed to assemble and prepare vaccines when delivering off-site services, subject to the same conditions placed on doctors
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has welcomed the responses to the government consultation that favour an increased role for community pharmacies in vaccination delivery services.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) organised the consultation between 5 September and 28 November last year to review the changes made to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 during the Covid-19 pandemic, as some regulations are expiring on 1 April 2026.
One of the proposals is to increase flexibility for community pharmacies to deliver vaccination services outside registered premises.
"This will enable community pharmacies to deliver targeted outreach, improving access to vaccines and helping reduce health inequalities."
Another proposal was to allow community pharmacies to administer any vaccine against an infectious disease caused by a virus or bacteria, so that they can provide wider outreach services and support a wider range of national vaccination programmes.
Pharmacists should be allowed to assemble and prepare vaccines when delivering off-site services, subject to the same conditions placed on doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives.
The document said these amendments will support delivery of the 10 Year Health Plan commitment to “give community pharmacy a bigger role in prevention by expanding their role in vaccine delivery.”
The government, in its response, noted "While the consultation proposal referred to a ‘vaccine-preventable disease’, we have concluded this terminology lacks clarity because a vaccine may not always prevent disease, although it may minimise the effects.
"Throughout this response, we will therefore use the term ‘vaccine against an infectious disease caused by a virus or bacteria’ as described in the consultation document. The legislative instrument that gives effect to this will reflect the final terminology."
NPA chief executive Henry Gregg said, "Pharmacies play a vital role in delivering vaccinations and we have been pushed hard for the expansion of NHS vaccination campaigns into community pharmacy, so we are delighted that the Government has taken our arguments on board.
"Enabling regulation is vital, we now need ministers to go a step further and commission the full service that pharmacies can deliver and that patients want.
"Evidence suggests that pharmacies increase uptake, particularly among groups that have historically been less likely to get vaccinated.
“We’re delighted that the government has listened to our strong representations and opened up the scope for community pharmacy vaccination services. Our experience is that people find pharmacies convenient and trusted places for receive jabs.
"The government should seize the opportunity to expand their role and use their expertise, trusted status and accessibility to deliver all national vaccination campaigns."
