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Pharmacists could be allowed to administer “any vaccine” against an infectious disease under proposed regulatory changes designed to “enable community pharmacies to provide wider outreach services and support a wider range of national vaccination programmes”.

The proposals follow a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) consultation reviewing amendments made to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 during the Covid pandemic, some of which will expire in April 2026. 

Pharmacy measures set to be introduced include allowing an “extended workforce” to administer vaccines and permitting vaccinations to be delivered off registered premises under a PGD.

Respondents highlighted the benefits of pharmacy-led vaccination services for boosting uptake, especially across rural communities, as demonstrated during the pandemic. 

The DHSC said the changes would support the 10 Year Health Plan commitment to “give community pharmacy a bigger role in prevention by expanding their role in vaccine delivery”.

Henry Gregg, NPA chief executive, said: “Pharmacies play a vital role in delivering vaccinations… so we are delighted that the Government has taken our arguments on board.”

Enabling regulation is vital but ministers need to go a step further and commission a full vaccination service “that pharmacies can deliver and that patients want”, he added.