As the 2018/19 Community Pharmacy Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Advanced Service came to an end on 31 March, further details were published about the 2019/20 national flu immunisation programme.

The Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England and NHS England have jointly published a letter outlining the eligibility criteria and the vaccines licensed for use. 

The planned extension of the programme to school children in Year 6, means that all primary school aged children will now be offered the vaccine for the first time in England, and is the only change to the eligibility criteria. Additionally, NHS England will continue to support vaccination of social care and hospice workers. 

PSNC reminds community pharmacies that individuals under the age of 18 cannot be vaccinated under the Community Pharmacy Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Advanced Service.

The directions, service specification and patient group direction for the Community Pharmacy Flu Vaccination Service 2019/20 will be published in due course.