It is fully recognised that this year, there is a national emergency and the nations flu vaccination targets have been dramatically increased so as to prevent unnecessary hospitalisations ahead of the second wave of COVID-19. The 2020-2021 Flu vaccination service has now commenced and has therefore produced a huge foreseeable and predictable uplift in demand for vaccinations.
The PDA’s early guidance published in May 2020 and August 2020 highlighted key steps that needed to be considered for the safe provision for this year’s service.
Early and widespread feedback from members is now being received and this gives much cause for concern. Whilst it is fully recognised that pharmacy has a greater role to play in this service, this must not be to the detriment of the safety of patients, nor must it have the effect of damaging the well-being of pharmacists and their teams. The PDA has considerable experience of flu vaccination services and understands what happens when things go wrong. Already it is handling claims from patients for alleged injury due to perceived vaccination errors. Some pharmacists are being asked to provide vaccination services in premises that are wholly unacceptable. Whilst, on the one hand, many pharmacists are already exhibiting symptoms of burnout from stress, others are creating a problematic operational climate by making irresponsible remarks on social media claiming that they have managed to deliver what in effect is a wholly inappropriate large number of vaccinations in a very short period of time.
For all of these reasons, further guidance is now necessary to protect both public health and the professional reputation of pharmacists in light of a profiteering approach exhibited by certain large employers.
This guidance document has been designed to guide the operations and thinking of employers, pharmacists who provide the service, CCGs and Health Boards, contractor organisations and contractors, regulators, chief pharmacists of the four countries of the UK and policy makers within Government.
Download the guidance here
The PDA continue to support individual pharmacists with further concerns. However, we are only able to assist our members, so If you know a pharmacist who has not yet joined the PDA, please encourage them to join today.