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Some pharmacies appear to be quite indiscriminate

Inter-professional disputes between GPs and pharmacists continue to rage over flu vaccinations, as GP magazine Pulse labels this year's programme "a shambles", at least partly due to pharmacists' greater role. Online comments linked to the article show the continuing enmity towards pharmacy involvement from certain GPs.

The Pulse article cited latest figures from Public Health England showing vaccination update in certain groups was lower than at the same stage last year. PHE data quoted (including pharmacy vaccinations) showed that 22 per cent of people under 65 years in a clinical risk group had been vaccinated so far, compared with 25 per cent at the same time last year. And only 43 per cent of over-65s had received their jab, compared with nearly 45 per cent last year. Meanwhile, 4 per cent of four-year-olds had been immunised relative to 7 per cent as of week 42 in 2014.

Dr Richard Pebody, head of seasonal flu surveillance at PHE, was quoted in the article as saying that the figures are slightly lower than those seen in the previous year, though generally higher than the comparable period in 2013/14. And that the lower uptake within the child flu programme is attributable to a later launch compared to last year. 

Dr Peter Scott, LMC leader in Solihull, was quoted as saying: "The flu campaign this year is likely to be a shambles as for the first GPs are in direct competition for giving the injectable flu jab and some pharmacies appear to be quite indiscriminate in offering the immunisations. They are saying to patients let us give you your flu jab your doctor is too busy to do that for you this year €“ which is not true."

Pulse reported this month that at least three LMCs had claimed pharmacists were directing patients away from GP appointments so they could administer the vaccine themselves.