A new NHS service enabling community pharmacies to administer flu vaccinations to children aged two to three years will be introduced as a one-season trial from 1 October 2025, it has been announced.

The initiative, commissioned as an Advanced service, aims to boost vaccine uptake in the two to three age group, which is typically vaccinated in general practice, with older children receiving theirs at school.

The move follows negotiations between Community Pharmacy England (CPE) and NHS England (NHSE).

Under the new service, the majority of eligible children will be vaccinated with the Live attenuated influenza vaccine nasal spray suspension (LAIV), supplied to pharmacies from centrally procured stock.

Related Article: Recall issued for Flutiform inhaler batches due to labelling error

Pharmacy owners opting to participate will receive £9.58 per vaccination administered.

This fee will be funded from NHS vaccination budgets, rather than the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) global sum.

According to Alastair Buxton, director of NHS Services at CPE, the new service was ‘fully aligned’ with NHS England’s vaccination strategy, the government’s recently published 10-year plan for health, and a ‘strong desire’ within the community pharmacy sector to provide more NHS vaccination programmes.

He said: ‘Community Pharmacy England was pleased to be able to agree this new Advanced service as a trial for one season, and we are confident that pharmacy teams will be able to increase vaccination rates by providing a convenient and accessible service to parents and their eligible children.

‘It represents another strategically important step towards community pharmacies being able to support the delivery of all NHS vaccination programmes.’

However, Mr Buxton added that pharmacy owners would need to reflect on the size of the eligible cohort of children before they decide to opt to provide the service.

Last season, the eligible cohort included approximately 1.2 million children, with just over 40% vaccinated by GP practices.

Related Article: Limited supply notice issued for angina tablets

Pharmacies wishing to provide the service can sign up via the NHSBSA’s MYS portal from 1 August 2025.

To ensure receipt of vaccine stock before the service begins, registration must be completed by 23:59 on 31st August 2025. CPE said later registration is possible, but vaccine supply may be delayed.

A service specification has been published by NHSE, and CPE said further information and resources to support provision of the new service will follow in due course.

The Company Chemists' Association (CCA) welcomed the commissioning of the new service, with chief executive Malcolm Harrison describing it as 'a vote of confidence' for community pharmacy.

He added: ‘We estimate that around 80% of pharmacies have a private vaccination service, so pharmacy teams are well versed in administering a wide range of different vaccines.

Related Article: Dermatology quick quiz: Common eczema presentations

‘Vaccines are second only to clean water in preventing disease. All efforts to drive uptake are absolutely critical to delivering on the prevention agenda.’

Last month, pharmacies gained access to the central stock of flu vaccines for children, and NHSE announced an upcoming service to help the public find pharmacies that offer walk-in flu vaccinations.