This year’s national flu vaccination service in community pharmacies is well underway. Joanne Taylor explores how the whole team can help make it a success

The NHS England Flu Vaccination Service is proving to be an effective and valued service to patients. 

Under this service, only a trained pharmacist may administer the flu vaccination, but the rest of the team can support the process by providing relevant information to patients. Preliminary preparation is a vital role and ensures the service runs in a proficient and well-organised manner. It’s a good idea to appoint one or two members of staff as ‘flu helpers’. These colleagues can be around to help patients complete forms and to offer any reassurance, as necessary.

When a patient requests details of the flu vaccination service, all staff should be able to explain who can have the vaccine and when. This includes thinking about:

• Age – the service covers eligible patients aged 18 years and older, but does not include children, so checking a young person’s age first is important
• Medication – any patients on anticoagulants need to be signposted to the GP surgery
• Tests – remember that if a patient is due to have blood tests in the next few days, the flu vaccination can affect the results
• Cleanliness – the patient’s arm must be clean before vaccination. Officially, the arm can be cleaned at the pharmacy if necessary, but it is preferable if this is done beforehand
• Availability – advise the patient when a trained pharmacist will be on site
• Cost – if offering a private service, advise the patient on the price. If a patient is eligible for the NHS service, explain that the vaccination is free. Any additional questions can be directed towards the pharmacist.

If the patient is suitable and wishes to continue, they will need to complete the appropriate form. This is best done in the branch and held on file.

All patients should be asked if they have previously had any adverse reactions. Patients should be advised that in case of allergic reaction or fainting following the vaccination, they will need to sit in the pharmacy for 15 minutes afterwards. Make sure that you know where the anaphylaxis pack or adrenaline injection is kept in the pharmacy.

If your pharmacy is conducting the service with an appointment system, provide the patient with the times of the service and then record their booking on a calendar or diary, making a note of their contact details. Always advise the patient of their appointment time and give details of any preparation they need to do prior to the appointment.

Pharmacy staff can play a pivotal role in the delivery of the flu vaccination service and are crucial to its success. Take time to discuss what you can do to aid the process where you work and how your input can make a difference to patient-centred care.

Joanne is a registered pharmacy technician and ACPT working in community pharmacy. She is national secretary for the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) and is a member of the Medicines Rebalancing Programme Board at the Department of Health as well as TM’s editorial advisory panel.