Over 2 million more flu vaccinations administered by community pharmacists in 2021/22

Community pharmacy teams have administered over 2.08 million more flu vaccinations under the national Flu Vaccination Service during 2021/22 than the previous year – a 75% increase.

The NHS Business Services Authority has published the Advanced Service Flu report which shows that community pharmacy teams administered 4.85 million vaccinations* under the national Flu Vaccination Service in 2021/22. Whilst in 2020/21 the total number of vaccines administered in community pharmacies was 2.77 million.

The service has continued to go from strength to strength since it launched in 2015, seeing year-on-year growth with the number of vaccinations administered, which can be seen in the graph below.

Commenting on the end-of-season figures, PSNC Chief Executive Janet Morrison said:

“I am thoroughly impressed to hear it confirmed that community pharmacy has had another record-breaking year of flu vaccination provision. The ability of pharmacy teams to deliver the healthcare services that communities need, despite the challenges and pressures this winter, is simply phenomenal.

“I would like to thank all our community pharmacy contractors and their teams for the enormous efforts that went in to achieving these results.”

Number of flu vaccinations administered by community pharmacy teams since the service launched in 2015/16

*The 2021/22 Flu Vaccination Service finished on 31st March 2022, therefore the above considers the claims from September 2021 to March 2022. However, the total number of vaccinations administered for the 2021/22 season may still increase as community pharmacy contractors can claim within six months of administration of the vaccination or by 31st August 2022, whichever data is earlier, in accordance with the usual Drug Tariff claims process.