Starting 1st October 2025, community pharmacies in England will be able to administer flu vaccines to eligible children under a newly commissioned Advanced service by NHS England. The initiative is designed to boost vaccination uptake in younger children, complementing existing programs run through general practices and school-based delivery for older age groups.
What’s Changing?
Traditionally, young children receive the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)—a nasal spray—from their GP surgeries. Under this new programme:
- Community pharmacies that sign up can vaccinate eligible children (specific age group to be confirmed in the service specification).
- The move is intended to increase accessibility and convenience for parents and guardians, which may lead to higher uptake.
Last year, just over 40% of the 1.2 million eligible children were vaccinated via GP practices. NHS England hopes this pharmacy-based model will push that percentage higher.
Vaccine Details and Supply
The vaccine to be administered is the LAIV nasal spray, supplied centrally by the NHS:
- Pharmacies do not need to order vaccine stock independently.
- Vaccines will be delivered only to pharmacies that register via the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) Manage Your Service (MYS) portal.
Important Dates for Pharmacy Owners:
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 1st August 2025 | MYS portal opens for service registration |
| 31st August 2025 (by 23:59) | Deadline to register and receive vaccine stock before 1st October |
| 1st October 2025 | Service officially launches |
Later registration will still be accepted, but pharmacies registering after August 31st may receive vaccine supplies after the service start date.
Payment and Funding
Pharmacy owners will receive a £9.58 fee per vaccine administered, paid from NHS vaccination programme budgets—not from the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) global sum.
This trial service will run for one flu season, with the potential for future inclusion in broader pharmacy-based immunization efforts.
Strategic Significance
The commissioning aligns with several NHS and government priorities:
- NHS England’s Vaccination Strategy
- The Government’s 10-Year Plan for Health
- The community pharmacy sector’s aim to deliver more NHS vaccination programmes
“We are confident that pharmacy teams will be able to increase vaccination rates by providing a convenient and accessible service to parents and their eligible children,” said Alastair Buxton, Director of NHS Services at Community Pharmacy England.
Buxton added that while the initiative is a promising step, pharmacy owners must evaluate the local eligible population before opting in.
FAQs
Who is eligible for this flu vaccine service in pharmacies?
Details are in the official service specification (linked on NHS England’s website), but it generally targets young children eligible for the LAIV vaccine.
How do pharmacies get access to vaccine stock?
By registering for the service on the NHSBSA MYS portal by 31 August 2025.
Will this service be permanent?
It is currently commissioned as a trial for one flu season, but success could lead to long-term adoption.
