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40,000 flu jabs completed in London

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40,000 flu jabs completed in London

Community pharmacies in London have provided 40,000 flu vaccinations in the first three weeks of the new national service. 

This winter is the first time community pharmacies across London, and the rest of England, have been able to offer NHS flu jabs as part of the first ever national pharmacy vaccination scheme.

Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice, says: “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.

“Community pharmacy is the most accessible healthcare location in England, with over 96 per cent of people able to reach one of the 11,500 pharmacies within 20 minutes either by walking or on public transport. The flu vaccine is the best protection we have against an illness that can kill, and we hope that pharmacy can continue to increase its important role protecting many from harm each year.”

Sue Sharpe, chief executive of PSNC, which agreed the pharmacy service with the NHS, adds: “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."

All adults aged 65 years and over, and those aged 18 years or over and in clinical risk groups, can receive a free of charge NHS flu jab at community pharmacies across the country. People in at-risk groups include pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions including asthma and diabetes.

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