Seasonal influenza vaccination delivery through community pharmacists in England: evaluation of the London pilot

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and cost of the pan-London pharmacy initiative, a programme that allows administration of seasonal influenza vaccination to eligible patients at pharmacies. Design: We analysed 2013–15 data on vaccination uptake in pharmacies via the Sonar reporting system, and the total vaccination uptake via 2011–15 ImmForm GP reporting system data. We conducted an online survey of London pharmacists who participate in the programme to assess time use data, vaccine choice, investment costs, and opinions about the programme. We conducted an online survey of London GPs to assess vaccine choice of vaccine and opinions about the pharmacy vaccine delivery programme. Setting: All London boroughs. Participants: London-based GPs, and pharmacies that currently offer seasonal flu vaccination. Interventions: Not applicable. Main outcome measures: Comparison of annual vaccine uptake in London across risk groups from years before pharmacy vaccination introduction to after p...