Pharmacists across the UK are sounding the alarm over an impending public health crisis as vaccination rates continue to decline. The uptake of essential vaccines for serious diseases, such as shingles and meningitis, has significantly dropped, exhibiting stark disparities between the most and least affluent regions of the country, according to recent data.
The Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), which includes major pharmacy chains like Boots, Superdrug, and Tesco, is urging the government to implement a vaccination rollout strategy similar to that used during the Covid pandemic. This initiative is deemed necessary due to the troubling trend of reduced vaccine coverage.
Data from the Pharmacy Vaccinations Development Group—a coalition representing the vaccination supply chain—reveals that the uptake of 14 essential childhood vaccines, including MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), Meningitis B, and Hepatitis B, has declined in the 2023/24 period. Alarmingly, none of these vaccines have met the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended coverage rate of 95% required for achieving herd immunity.
Furthermore, influenza vaccination rates among those under 65 in clinical risk groups remain well below the WHO targets, while human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. A study commissioned by GSK highlights that the shingles vaccine uptake is 27% lower in the most deprived areas compared to wealthier neighborhoods. Although this vaccine is available free of charge for eligible adults through their GP, many are opting to pay privately due to the difficulties in accessing it through traditional medical routes.
Rob Severn, a pharmacist based in Warsop, Nottinghamshire, expressed concern, stating, “If this trend continues, we may see vaccine rates plummet further, potentially leading to a public health emergency.” He emphasized the importance of leveraging insights gained from the Covid booster and flu vaccination programs, which have seen pharmacies administer over a quarter of all Covid-19 vaccinations, to enhance the rollout of routine vaccinations.
Areas with the Lowest Vaccination Rates
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveals that London boroughs are leading in the lowest flu vaccine uptake for individuals aged 65 and above. Current figures for the 2024/25 flu season show:
- Hammersmith and Fulham: 51.7%
- Westminster: 51.4%
- City of London and Hackney: 51.2%
The WHO recommends a 75% vaccination rate for the influenza vaccine in this age group. The uptake among those under 65 in clinical risk groups is particularly concerning:
- Hammersmith and Fulham: 25%
- Kensington and Chelsea: 27.7%
- Enfield: 27.8%
In the ongoing flu season, pharmacies have administered over 3.1 million flu vaccines. The CCA has also called for the expansion of a pilot scheme for the RSV vaccine, which is currently in its infancy with only 37 pharmacies participating in the East of England.
Nick Thayer, head of policy at the CCA, emphasized the need for increased efforts in various areas to boost vaccine uptake. “Older adults who frequently visit pharmacies for their flu and Covid vaccines are also eligible for pneumonia and shingles vaccinations. It makes perfect sense for this demographic to receive all their eligible vaccines at their local pharmacy,” he stated.
Addressing the Funding Crisis in Pharmacy
Pharmacists have voiced their frustration regarding insufficient government funding for the sector, highlighting ongoing financial and workload challenges that have led to many pharmacy owners struggling to stay afloat, with some closing their doors permanently.
The CCA argues that a well-funded vaccination initiative could enable pharmacies to deliver approximately 10 million vaccines annually. They propose several strategies to enhance vaccine uptake:
- Commission pharmacies to administer all vaccines available for older adults.
- Expand the national booking service to include all vaccines.
- Review supply models to ensure vaccines are accessible when and where patients need them.
Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the CCA, noted that since community pharmacies typically see more foot traffic than GPs, empowering them to provide a broader range of vaccines is a logical step. “The UK has historically been a leader in vaccination efforts, but with current uptake rates falling, we must act decisively to reverse this trend,” he cautioned.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care remarked, “Community pharmacists play a crucial role as we transition the focus of the NHS from hospitals to community settings, and we are collaborating with the sector to optimize their skills, particularly in vaccination programs.”
