Uptake of Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Pharmacists across the country are being asked to promote uptake of the seasonal influenza vaccine at the point of dispensing in those patients considered at risk. https://www.cas.dh.gov.uk/

According to the Department of Health,  good progress has been made vaccinating  health care workers compared to last year but  current data show that vaccine uptake levels in the clinical risk groups are only similar to or slightly higher than at the same time last year.

The latest information can be found at http://immunisation.dh.gov.uk/

Pharmacists are being asked to promote vaccination as the Department is concerned that the aspiration of 60% uptake in the clinical risk groups will not be reached, particularly amongst pregnant women.

The 'at risk' groups recommended to receive the vaccine include pregnant women, those over 65 and patients with the following conditions

• Chronic respiratory disease
• Chronic heart disease
• Chronic liver disease
• Chronic neurological disease
• Diabetes
• Immunosuppression (either due to disease or treatment).

Pharmacists are well placed to encourage patients to receive the vaccine when dispensing prescriptions, providing services for or discussing health and wellbeing with for those in the at-risk groups. 

Patients living on the Isle of Wight can receive seasonal flu vaccination, as an NHS service, in community pharmacies across the island for the third year running. This year, Hampshire PCT has commissioned seasonal flu vaccination in a small number of community pharmacies as part of a pilot to increase uptake in specific patient groups.

The expected severity of this season's winter flu is unknown and although we are half way through the flu vaccination programme, there may be a late demand for the vaccine as was seen last year.