NHS Flu Vaccination Service
Written by AlisonFreemantle on Friday 22nd August 2025
Weekly round up
Permission for Off-Site Vaccination
A key change for this season includes a requirement to seek permission from the commissioner prior to undertaking vaccinations at a location off the pharmacy premises.
Please see separate news article here:
Vaccines
As it’s just a couple of weeks away before the flu campaign starts, (1st September for pregnant women), just a reminder of the reinforced advice issued by NHSE regarding the restriction on the use of second line vaccines.
The annual flu letter for 2025/26 makes it clear that first line vaccines used. Once the vaccination campaign has started, if pharmacies need additional stock, second line vaccines should only be used if first line options are not available to order.
Where a pharmacy does not have a first line vaccine in stock, patients should be directed to an alternative provider who has stock of a first line vaccine or told to rebook when the new stock is available. Vaccination with a second line vaccine should only be considered on an exceptional basis where there is a valid reason why the patient may not return for a further appointment.
National Booking Service (NBS) is now open to upload appointments (Flu & COVID)
The National Booking Service (NBS) is now open for pharmacies to upload appointments for adult flu and COVID vaccinations.
Pharmacies providing Covid and 2/3yr old flu vaccinations MUST use NBS for appointments. Walk in availability can also be offered.
The use of NBS for adult flu vaccinations is a voluntary option and there is functionality within NHS Profile Manager to add a link to their own flu vaccination booking system within their NHS website profile.
Any pharmacies that have not yet registered for NBS but would like to take up the offer to use NBS (and who don’t already have access to NBS as part of the COVID-19 Vaccination Service), can still apply by completing the NBS registration flu form. Login details are usually received within 10 working days.
Access to a Clinical IT System
All Pharmacies must use one of the assured Point of Care (PoC) clinical IT systems to record Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
In previous seasons the PoC system has been provided by NHSE but for 2025/26 pharmacy owners must choose which system they want to use and contact them directly to set up.
Flu vaccination training materials 2025/26 from UKHSA
The UKHSA has recently published a healthcare professional information document that brings together all the key training materials for flu in one place. You can also access the accompanying e-learning module and slide set via the links provided.
Please note that “The National Flu Immunisation Programme for 2025 to 2026” slide set is listed at the top of the 2025 to 2026 annual flu collection and is available to download.
2/3 year old Flu Vaccination Training and Resources
Delivery will begin from 1st October 2025, supplementing the offer by GP surgeries who start vaccinating from the 1st September.
A separate PGD to cover both the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and the cell-cultured inactivated influenza vaccine (IIVc) administration will be published.
Community Pharmacy England Childhood Flu Webinar
For those that couldn’t attend or want to revisit a recording of the webinar is now available on the CPE website here:
Site Campaign Guide
To support readiness, a training and resources pack has been produced. The pack is available here:
Ordering LAIV vaccines
Pharmacies who have registered* before the 1st September to deliver the service will receive an initial allocation of a box of 10 vaccines.
Ordering more vaccine is done on a system called FDP. There are webinars throughout September, links to these can be found in the site campaign guide.
Note when setting up your access to FDP please use a personal nh.net email address and select ‘site ops and supply chain vaccination site user’ a the role.
Unlike Covid, you will need to place orders – it’s not automatic based on what’s on NBS. If you order on a Monday, stock will arrive on a Thursday.
*Pharmacies can continue to register up until 30th November, but registrations after 31st August will not be guaranteed stock delivery before 1st October.