News

HDA supports calls for early planning for the 2024/2025 flu vaccination season

London, 25 October 2023: The HDA has signed a joint letter to Health Secretary Steve Barclay MP calling on the Department of Health and Social Care, the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England to begin planning the 2024/2025 winter vaccination programme as soon as possible in order to ensure that plans are well established ahead of the 2024/2024 flu season.

The letter was also signed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, vaccine manufacturer CSL Seqirus, NHS Confederation Primary Care Network, and the Dispensing Doctors’ Association.

Alastair Buxton, Director of NHS Services at Community Pharmacy England, said:

“Community pharmacy teams always plan their winter vaccination provision many months before the autumn. This year their efforts were hampered in August when NHS England moved the goalposts on the flu vaccination service start date, only to change its mind again a couple of weeks later. This was a shambolic start to the vaccination programme and caused unnecessary work and hassle for pharmacy owners and their teams. This sort of policy to-ing and fro-ing must not be repeated and we hope to begin constructive conversations with NHS and the Government very soon to help next year’s programme run more smoothly for all.”

HDA supports calls for early planning for the 2024/2025 flu vaccination season
All HDA News

From Factory to Pharmacy

As part of our mission to build awareness, understanding and appreciation of the vital importance of the healthcare distribution sector, we developed an infographic explaining the availability of medicines. It identifies the factors that can impact drug supply, as well as the measures that HDA members undertake day in, day out to help mitigate the risks of patients not receiving their medicines.

See the Infographic

Apply to become a Member

Membership of the HDA guarantees your organisation:

  • Access to leading policy and industry forums of debate and discussion
  • Invitations to a range of networking industry events organised through the year, including an Annual Conference and a Business Day
  • Representation on HDA working parties, including the Members’ Liaison Group
  • A daily Political and Media Bulletin and HDA Newsletters
  • Access to HDA policy documents and all sections of the HDA website
  • Branding and marketing opportunities
Apply Now

Already a Member?

Login