Key Summary
- A new survey by the NPA found that 56 per cent of pharmacies have reported heavy bookings.
- Most pharmacies are keen to be included in more vaccination programmes aimed at teenagers and young adults.
- The NPA has also called for making this one-off vaccination scheme an annual programme.
There has been a surge in bookings after the NHS National Booking Service opened for MenB vaccines at community pharmacies, ahead of the 20 July rollout.
This is the first national NHS vaccination campaign to be delivered solely through community pharmacies, and those eligible need to take two doses at least 28 days apart.
A new survey by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) found that 56 per cent of pharmacies have reported heavy bookings, with a similar number seeing interest from patients, or their families, who are not eligible under the current service.
Pharmacies have also received inquiries included students already at university or those of a secondary school age who missed out on their MenB vaccination delivered to those born after 2015, and are not eligible under the current scheme.
During the survey, 97 per cent of pharmacies have said they would be willing to be included in more vaccination programmes aimed at teenagers and young adults.
Since 2018, vaccination rates have fallen by around a quarter for these age groups.
The NPA, which represent around 6000 independent community pharmacies, has also called for making this one-off scheme an annual programme.
During the recent outbreaks in Kent, Berkshire and Dorset, a number of pharmacies that offer MenB as a private vaccine service were deluged by queries from concerned families.
Stocks
Pharmacies warned that stock needs to be in place to manage all appointments, with some pharmacies warning that they do not currently have sufficient stock allocated to meet appointments that are open on their system.
Some pharmacies told the NPA they have had to reduce appointments for next week, as they were not sure of being allocated sufficient supplies by the NHS.
The NPA has urged people to be patient towards pharmacy staff.
Those who are eligible are people born between 1st September 2007 and 31st August 2008; people born on or after 21 July 2001 and starting university for the first time this autumn; and people born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting in some residential further education colleges for the first time this autumn.
Eligibility
Those who are eligible are people born between 1st September 2007 and 31st August 2008; people born on or after 21 July 2001 and starting university for the first time this autumn; and people born on or after 21 July 2001 who are starting in some residential further education colleges for the first time this autumn.
Meningococcal B 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.
NPA chair Olivier Picard said, “It was awful to hear of the tragic deaths of young people due to MenB this year and I would urge anyone who is eligible to come forward for a vaccine from their local pharmacy.
“MenB is very serious but people can be protected against more severe illness through vaccination and pharmacies are proud to be leading a campaign to help protect students embarking on university life, the first of its kind.
“It makes sense for pharmacies, who are highly accessible and on people’s doorsteps, to be able to help NHS colleagues deliver vaccinations, particular to tackle sharp drops in uptake among teenagers and young adults.
“This is a new service so people should bear with pharmacies who will do all they can to ensure stock is available.
“The NHS must make sure that pharmacies can easily access the stock they need to make the campaign a success, particularly for eligible patients who attend without an appointment.”
