Community pharmacy teams across London have completed over 40,000 flu vaccinations in the first three weeks since the vaccination programme went live on September 8.

Sue Sharpe, chief executive of PSNC, said: “Community pharmacy provision of NHS flu vaccinations means many eligible adult patients will have greater access to this service. Many people may choose pharmacy because they are unable to attend GP clinics, due to factors such as their work hours, and because they can visit pharmacies in a variety of locations and without the need to book an appointment. The national service is an important step forward for community pharmacy as we expand its provision of care and public health services alongside the dispensing of medicines.”

Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice, said: “Over recent years community pharmacy has proved its worth as the right place to help increase the numbers of high risk groups having the flu vaccination. Success stories such as London, which offered 116,000 NHS flu jabs last year, and are well set to surpass that figure this year, have helped convince the NHS that a national service is in patients’ best interest."

Sandra Gidley, chair of the English Pharmacy Board, said: “We will be working with GPs so more people get vaccinated, reducing the incidence of flu. I would also encourage all pharmacists to be vaccinated to protect themselves, their patients and their families.”