Infectious diseases

Welsh government plans to expand PrEP access to community pharmacies

The Welsh government's draft action plan outlines 26 recommendations to reduce HIV transmission and improve the lives of people with HIV.…

First two antimicrobial drugs funded by NHS subscription payment scheme to be given to patients

The NHS England payment scheme is aimed to incentivise antimicrobial drug innovation.…

MRSA: diagnosis, screening and management

Appropriate antimicrobial therapy, following local policy and adhering to infection and prevention control guidance, can help to prevent the spread of MRSA bacteria.…

Community pharmacies deliver a record 4.8 million flu vaccinations during winter 2021/2022

Data show a 73% increase in the number of flu vaccinations provided by community pharmacies in the 2021/2022 flu season, compared with the previous year.…

People aged 50 to 64 years will not be eligible for NHS flu vaccines in 2022/2023

The NHS flu vaccination programme will be returning to pre-pandemic recommendations for the 2022/2023 season.…

All pharmacists now eligible for free flu vaccination in England after U-turn

Additional funding has been set aside to allow for all "eligible primary care contractors" to be vaccinated against flu — including community pharmacy teams and locums — following pleas from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee.…

It is ‘shocking’ that free flu vaccinations are not being offered to all pharmacists in England and Wales, says RPS

Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said the Society is "calling on the NHS to offer free flu vaccinations to pharmacists and pharmacy teams in both England and Wales, as is the case in Scotland”.…

Boots flu vaccination appointment bookings increase almost 70% year-on-year

Bookings for flu vaccinations at Boots stores increased by 67% between 1 July 2021 and 6 September 2021, when compared with the same time period in 2020.…

Pharmacists working in hospitals and general practice may face mandatory COVID-19 vaccination

The government has opened a consultation on making COVID-19 and flu vaccinations compulsory for frontline staff in general practice and hospitals, unless they are medically exempt.…

Pharmacy technicians can administer flu vaccine under national protocol for England

Exclusive: Public Health England has confirmed that, under the national protocol for administration of inactivated influenza vaccine, pharmacy technicians will be able to prepare and administer the vaccine.…