NHS England launches vaccine IT system framework
NHS England has announced the launch of a new community pharmacy Point of Care (PoC) IT Supplier Contractual Framework, which will allow pharmacy owners to choose which PoC system they use to make their clinical records for the Flu and COVID-19 vaccination services during the Autumn/Winter 2025/26 campaign.
IT suppliers listed on the new framework have been assured by NHS England as having met specific minimum standards.
Community pharmacy owners carrying out these services will be able to choose ahead of the Autumn one of the assured PoC systems. As with the current IT systems pharmacy owners are using for recording vaccinations, they will:
- automatically notify the patient’s GP practice of the vaccination;
- streamline the claims process; and
- be fully funded by NHS England for the 2025/26 financial year.
Some of the IT suppliers are in the later stages of achieving full assurance. Looking ahead to Autumn/Winter 2025, it is anticipated that pharmacies will be able to choose from the following five PoC systems (subject to all having achieved successful assurance):
- Cegedim’s Pharmacy Services;
- Optum (formerly EMIS) Pinnacle Outcomes4Health;
- Positive Solutions HxConsult;
- RAVS (the NHS ‘in-house’ Record A Vaccination Service platform); or
- Sonar
Pharmacy owners should select an NHS England-assured IT supplier and contact them directly to set up new accounts. System suppliers are working towards full assurance before 7th August 2025, however information and links to all of the systems and supplier options can already be found at the NHS Futures PoC hub (you can use your NHSmail to setup a login if you don’t already have one for the NHS Futures platform).
Those who have already chosen a system can either continue using it or switch to another system, before the start of the upcoming flu season.
Further information
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do pharmacy owners now have the option to choose their own system, rather than having it selected for them?
Yes. Pharmacy owners can make their final decisions later in the summer, when all options are expected to be available. This new framework has removed the need for NHS England regional teams to commission an IT system for all their pharmacies.
Q. Does my pharmacy pay the system supplier directly?
No. NHS England will directly fund the suppliers for the 2025/26 financial year.
Q. Are all the systems the same?
NHS England has assessed all systems within the framework to ensure they can transfer the necessary data to GP practices, NHS England and the NHS Business Services Authority. However, suppliers may offer different interfaces and additional features beyond the baseline specification requirement.
Q. What key points should I consider when selecting an IT system?
We have some key points for pharmacy owners to consider when selecting a new IT system. For further details, visit the switching webpage within the NHS Futures: Pharmacy PoC hub (login required).
Q. Once a system is selected, can this be changed?
Even after a system is selected, further adjustments can be made if necessary, for instance, if the chosen system is no longer meeting your preferred requirements.
Q. Can I use a PoC provider that is not on the NHS England assured list?
No.
Q. Can I register with more than one PoC supplier?
A pharmacy site may register for only one PoC system for NHS flu service provision and one PoC system for COVID-19 service provision.
Community pharmacies may, however, use different systems for flu and COVID-19 services. However, in such circumstances, caution must be exercised to prevent information from being inadvertently recorded on the wrong system.
