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Pharmacy services provider Pharmadoctor has revealed its partner pharmacies saw a 306 per cent year-on-year increase in demand for private flu vaccinations this October.

As UK health authorities warn of a potentially severe flu season, the company said it expects this "record" demand for flu immunisation "will continue throughout November and possibly into December".

Speaking to P3pharmacy, Pharmadoctor CEO Graham Thoms said vaccination services are "great for footfall" and that independent pharmacies should not try to compete with large chains on "a race to the bottom" on pricing, commenting: "It's a clinical service and shouldn't be devalued."

Mr Thoms demand for private Covid vaccinations is over 400 per cent higher than in October 2024 and encouraged more pharmacies to provide this service, which he described as significantly more profitable than flu. 

"The top performing pharmacy has done 551 private Covid jabs - generates them £52,345 in revenue," he said, compared to the top-performing pharmacy for flu vaccinations which has made roughly £12,000 in revenue from providing around 700 vaccinations. 

He added that over half of patients using the Covid service have been in the 65-74 age group, which is no longer eligible for free  vaccinations on the NHS: "These are the patients that are at potential risk from complications from Covid, so they are the ones that are really driving the demand."

Mr Thoms comments came as the NHS warned that Australia's worst-ever flu season could be a predictor of high levels of circulating virus in the UK and urged eligible patients to get their NHS vaccination as soon as possible. 

Duncan Burton, chief nursing officer for England, said: “With just weeks left to ensure best protection against the worst of the flu season, we are issuing an urgent SOS to the eligible people who have yet to get jabbed this year.

“It is vital that the public use the over 2.4 million available appointments we have running next week to stamp out this early wave of flu cases and help shield themselves ahead of winter, when viruses tend to circulate and the NHS faces increased pressure on its services."