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Around 4,000 community pharmacies will offer flu vaccinations to children for the first time from the beginning of the seasonal campaign on 1 October 2025, NHS England has said.
Pharmacy provision of this vaccination service is hoped to increase uptake.
NHS England’s childhood vaccination coverage statistics show that less than half (44%) of eligible patients aged between two and three years received the nasal spray immunisation in 2024.
Regional figures shared by NHS England with The Pharmaceutical Journal show that around four in ten pharmacies in England plan to offer the service, with pharmacy provision particularly high in some areas where vaccination coverage has historically been low.
As of 22 September 2025, 3,947 community pharmacies had signed up to deliver the flu vaccine to children, according to the figures.
NHS England added that these numbers could change throughout the season, as pharmacies can continue to opt in and out of the service.
The figures also revealed high numbers of pharmacies have taken up the service in London and the Midlands, which are areas where previous vaccine coverage is lower.
At its most recent count, NHS England said that 751 pharmacies in London had signed up to provide the service. In 2024, this region had the lowest vaccine coverage in the country for the children’s flu immunisation, at just 37% (see Figure).
Figure: Pharmacies will provide additional vaccination sites, including in areas of low uptake
NHS England, ‘Childhood vaccination coverage statistics’, 2023/2024
Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), said: “Pharmacy teams work in the heart of neighbourhoods and communities and hold trusted relationships with patients. With more pharmacies in more deprived areas, pharmacies are also well placed to drive vaccine coverage amongst underserved communities.”
“The pharmacy vaccination development group, which the CCA hosts, has over the past 18 months “been working with manufacturers, suppliers, commissioners and regulators to unlock the potential of community pharmacy to help more people receive the vaccinations they need to stay healthy,” he added.
Ashley Dalton, minister for public health and prevention, commented: “With winter approaching and flu season just around the corner, this is a crucial step forward in protecting our youngest children when they need it most. By extending vaccination services to high street pharmacies for the first time, we’re making it easier than ever for families to get vital protection closer to home before the cold months hit.”
Janet Morrison, chief executive of Community Pharmacy England, said: “With a network of pharmacies in key locations where people live, work and shop, this new service should make it easier for parents to get their children protected.”
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “There is growing evidence that using pharmacies to deliver vaccinations helps to increase take up, particularly among patients that have historically not taken up the offer of vaccination.”
He also urged the government to use community pharmacies “for more NHS vaccination campaigns, if they are to maximise take up and prevent more serious illness”.
