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Future developments to vaccine supply chains should integrate proprietary booking systems with public booking portals and consider the impact on private vaccination activity when planning the NHS vaccination supply chain, according to a report.
Published on 18 November 2025, a report by the Pharmacy Vaccinations Development Group (PVDG) suggested that integrating proprietary booking systems with the national booking system and other booking portals would simplify patients’ ability to book vaccination appointments and provide a better overview of total demand.
Any NHS supply models must consider the possible impact of changes to supply chains on well-established private vaccination services, such as the flu service, to avoid unintended consequences, the report added.
The recommendations follow the PVDG’s call in February 2025 to harness community pharmacies to administer a greater range of NHS vaccines to patients.
The report also proposes three models for vaccine supply: a ‘push or allocation’ model, a ‘pull or drawn down’ model and a ‘hybrid or inventory control’ model.
The report said that the ‘push or allocation’ model would require commissioners to order and distribute vaccine stock, which is most commonly used for vaccine supply. The report also noted that this model would reduce financial risk and administrative workload for providers while helping to ensure equitable coverage and predictable national logistics.
However, the ‘push or allocation’ model demands strong forecasting, carries a high administrative burden for commissioners and could struggle to respond quickly to sudden shifts in local demand, it added.
In the report, the PVDG said that a ‘pull or drawn down’ model would give providers control over ordering vaccines and offer flexibility to respond to local demand, which is the route that pharmacies access the flu vaccine.
The ‘pull or drawn down’ model encourages careful stock management and could reduce wastage, since providers tend to order in line with expected use, yet it shifts financial risk onto providers, who must purchase stock upfront and absorb losses if it goes unused, the PVDG said.
In addition, the report explained that a ‘hybrid or inventory control’ model would combine initial central allocation with the option for vaccination providers to order extra stock as needed, which is aimed to blend the stability of push models with the flexibility of pull models.
The ‘hybrid or inventory control’ model would help manage early-season surges, while allowing pharmacies to respond to real-time demand later on. Under this model, continuous stock monitoring could minimise wastage and smooth supply across the programme, the report noted.
However, it added that the third model could create dual administrative burdens, where commissioners must set accurate initial allocations, while providers must keep close track of ongoing inventory.
The ‘hybrid or inventory control’ model could also become complex for year-round programmes, where the administrative effort may outweigh the benefits — although lessons from wider supply chain practice could improve future feasibility, according to the report.
Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the Company Chemists’ Association, which produced the report on behalf of the PVDG, said: “If patients and pharmacies are to have confidence in the system, we need reliable, transparent and flexible supply models that adapt quickly to changing demand.
“An obvious starting point for policymakers is to enable the integration of proprietary booking systems into the national booking system and to consider the data from vaccines already administered privately. We look forward to commissioners working with the PVDG to unlock the full potential of pharmacy vaccination services.”
