From 1 October 2025, community pharmacies across England will be able to offer flu vaccinations to children aged two to three as part of a new NHS England advanced service, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has announced.
The scheme, introduced as a trial for the 2025/2026 winter season, aims to increase flu vaccine uptake among children who are not yet eligible for school-based immunisation programs and currently rely on GP practices. Under the initiative, most vaccinations will be administered via nasal sprays using the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), drawn from centrally procured NHS stock.
CPE confirmed on 23 July 2025 that pharmacy contractors opting into the programme will be reimbursed £9.58 per administered vaccination. This fee will be funded through NHS vaccination budgets, rather than the global sum of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.
Pharmacy contractors can enrol in the programme via the NHS Business Services Authority’s Manage Your Service (MYS) portal beginning 1 August 2025. However, CPE cautioned that those registering after the 31 August 2025 deadline may receive vaccine supplies later than the programme’s start date in October.
The service is intended to make childhood flu vaccines more accessible, especially after NHS data revealed that in 2024, just over 40% of the 1.2 million eligible children in this age group were vaccinated through GP surgeries.
Expert Support for Pharmacy-Led Vaccinations
Alastair Buxton, Director of NHS Services at CPE, described the programme as “a trial for one season” but expressed confidence in its success.
“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,” he said. He also advised pharmacy owners to consider the local population of eligible children when deciding whether to opt in.
Tase Oputu, Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s English Pharmacy Board, welcomed the move but emphasised the need for adequate support. “To ensure the success of this trial, it’s crucial pharmacists are given the support they need to deliver the vaccinations safely and effectively,” she said.
Oputu also noted that pharmacists have already proven effective in vaccinating adults, and expanding their remit to include younger children could improve early protection and bolster public health.
Sector-Wide Optimism and Calls for Continued Investment
Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), hailed the new service as a clear endorsement of the pharmacy sector’s role in expanding vaccine access. “This is a vote of confidence for the role of community pharmacy in driving uptake and coverage of NHS vaccines, particularly amongst underserved communities,” he said.
He highlighted that around 80% of pharmacies already offer private vaccination services, providing them with the experience necessary to handle childhood immunisations effectively. “Vaccines are second only to clean water in preventing disease,” Harrison added, underscoring the vital importance of immunisation in public health strategies.
Leyla Hannbeck, Chief Executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA), stressed that vaccinations are not only beneficial for community health but also represent a vital revenue stream for financially strained pharmacies. “The IPA will continue to campaign to get more vaccinations delivered in pharmacies,” she said.
Jonathan Blades, Director of External Affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, also encouraged broad pharmacy participation. “We hope as many pharmacies as possible choose to provide the service,” he told The Pharmaceutical Journal. “Ensuring people are vaccinated against illnesses like flu is crucial for averting future winter crises in the NHS, which are largely driven by respiratory conditions.”
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