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The Company Chemists’ Association chief executive Malcolm Harrison has insisted pharmacies should be commissioned to “deliver a wide range” of vaccines through integrated care boards and “nationally defined programmes” after NHS England proposed delegating commissioning to ICBs.

As NHSE tries to move ahead with plans to give ICBs commissioning powers from April 1, 2026, Harrison said NHSE should commission pharmacies to administer pneumonia, shingles, meningitis, RSV and other childhood vaccines.

He suggested “the most efficient approach” for “many NHS vaccinations” was the national route as patients across the country would “know what to expect of their local pharmacy.”

However, he said ICB-led commissioning “can also provide opportunities to commission bespoke vaccination and screening services based on local and unmet need.”

Harrison said commissioning pharmacies to deliver more vaccines would free up 10 million GP appointments each year by “increasing uptake for both national and local programmes.”

“Community pharmacy has a clear role to play in meeting patient need and increasing uptake for both national and local programmes,” he said.

“Through the Pharmacy Vaccinations Development Group, launched last year, the CCA has been working with representatives across the entire supply chain.

“We have been exploring how pharmacies can administer more NHS vaccines to help drive higher uptake particularly in underserved communities and help build vaccine confidence.”

Outlining its plans last Thursday, NHSE said it wants “the vast majority” of vaccine, screening and child health information services to be delegated to ICBs.

NHSE said handing ICBs responsibility for commissioning was “in line with” its vaccination strategy and will help drive its prevention agenda as it moves care out of hospitals and into local communities.

National Pharmacy Association local integration lead Michael Lennox told Independent Community Pharmacist NHSE's proposal "won’t change things overnight in terms of community pharmacy provision of vaccination and screening services".

"However, effective ICBs will aim to leverage the new arrangements to improve operational delivery and integration across their footprint," he said.

“It gives local systems the opportunity to build on the success of flu and COVID-19 vaccination and commission more vaccination services from community pharmacy to meet the specific needs of their local population.”