Hancock promises ‘biggest flu vaccination programme’

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said that the UK will see the biggest seasonal flu vaccination drive in history this winter to try and mitigate the fear of a winter crisis mixed with coronavirus.

There are increasing concerns that a severe winter or flu epidemic on top of any second wave of coronavirus infections could overwhelm the NHS for a second time leading to more deaths and cancelled operations.

Speaking vid video-link to the audience of the National Pharmacy Association annual conference, whom he called ‘an untapped resource’, Hancock said the government was planning now for winter. He said that community pharmacists would be key to helping vaccinate as many at risk people such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions.

Hancock said: “We all know that having had an incredibly difficult six months, the next big moment is as winter approaches. We’re currently planning in detail for winter. And we’re expecting high demand and pharmacies will play a critical role. There’s a huge amount of work to do. We still don’t know the long-term health impacts of coronavirus. We still have just one treatment that’s clinically proven to be effective in reducing its impact.

“We’re working hard on a combination of the Covid vaccination programme, should a vaccine work, and of course, the science on that is as yet unproven. And of course, the biggest flu vaccination programme in history. I want to see pharmacies involved in that flu vaccine rollout.”