Flu vac: first line vaccine for the 65 yrs and over still available

NHS England, has published a reminder, via their Primary Care Bulletin, highlighting that the High-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV-HD), a first line vaccine for the 65 years and over cohort, as advised in the amendment to the annual flu letter, is available to order from Sanofi.

NHS England goes on to remind pharmacy owners that in line with Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice and as stated in the national flu immunisation programme 2024/25 letter, any provision of flu vaccinations should always use the best available flu vaccines.

An alternative second line vaccine should only be used if there is no first line vaccine available to order and every attempt to use first line recommended vaccines has been exhausted – evidence of this may be requested by NHS England before reimbursement is agreed.

NHS England advised that where the first line vaccine is temporarily not available, pharmacy owners may need to consider rearranging clinics or signposting people to alternative providers until they have a first line vaccine available.

To place an order for QIV-HD, pharmacy owners can contact Sanofi on 0800 854 430 (select option 1).