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PSNC, Pharmacy Voice and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) share the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP)'s concerns over lower flu vaccination rates but highlight the considerable work of pharmacy teams during the national roll out of the pharmacy service.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) voiced concerns that GPs have given six per cent fewer flu vaccinations than this time last year. It cited the unseasonably mild weather and perceptions of lower vaccination effectiveness last year as possible influencing factors for the decrease.

In a joint statement, PSNC, Pharmacy Voice and the RPS agreed that the overall rates of flu vaccination this year are disappointing and stressed the need for pharmacies to continue to recruit patients and keep pushing vaccination rates up.

€Having a flu vaccination is still the best protection we have against an illness which can be severe. We too would encourage all vulnerable people and carers to have their NHS vaccinations", commented the pharmacy bodies in a joint statement.

Community pharmacies must report any NHS flu vaccinations they give to the patient's GP practice either on the day of the vaccination or the following day, and all data is being collated in accordance with national guidance. GP practices can then enter the information into patient records. This is another area in which secure access by pharmacy to patient records would help to keep clinical records up to date and to save time for GP practices.