Flu and Childhood flu vac: PGD and VGD published
NHS England has authorised and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published the Patient Group Direction (PGD) and Vaccine Group Direction (VGD) for use in the autumn/winter 2026/27 NHS Flu vaccination campaign.
VGDs are a new legal route which can be used to authorise administration of vaccines. In summary, they operate in a similar way to a PGD, with pharmacists and pharmacy technicians operating as the clinician, but with the opportunity for some tasks within the process (preparation, administration and record-keeping) to be delegated to other suitably trained staff.
Download the NHS Flu vaccination PGD
Download the NHS Flu vaccination VGD
The choice of whether to operate under a PGD or a VGD is the decision of the pharmacy owner.
In a change to last year, these legal mechanisms will support the administration of either inactivated influenza vaccine or live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) as part of the national seasonal flu vaccination programme (adult flu and childhood flu).
Service registration reminder
Pharmacy owners who wish to provide either flu and COVID-19 vaccinations or only adult flu vaccinations as part of the autumn/winter 2026/27 campaign, but who have not yet registered to provide these services, can still do so by using the NHS Business Service Authority’s Manage Your Service (MYS) portal to register to provide the service.
The interim deadline for registration is 11.59pm on 31st July 2026 to receive supplies of COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the anticipated autumn 2026 service commencement date.
If registering after 31st July 2026, the pharmacy is not guaranteed to receive COVID-19 vaccine in time for the COVID-19 vaccination commencement date.
The final deadline to register to provide flu and COVID-19 vaccinations or only adult flu vaccinations in 2026/27 is 11.59pm on 30th November 2026.
Further information on the services, registration and guidance can be found on our Seasonal Vaccination Services hub page and our Childhood Flu Vaccination Service hub page.
