The Government is looking at centralising the procurement of adult flu vaccine, a process which is currently down to each GP practice.
NHS England’s long-awaited vaccination strategy, published this morning, said such a move could address ‘clinical, operational and financial challenges’ experienced under the current system.
The plan said NHS England, DHSC, UKHSA and NHS Supply Chain will together undertake an exploratory ‘cost-benefit analysis’ to see if procurement of adult flu vaccine should be moved to a national level.
‘We have heard that current arrangements can restrict systems’ flexibility to design their vaccination delivery network and plan for surges and outbreaks,’ the plan said.
It also suggested that centralised procurement may ‘better support’ co-administration of Covid-19 and flu vaccine and ‘facilitate the potential introduction of any future combined vaccine or mRNA flu vaccine’.
Pulse reported in June that NHS England was working on aligning payments for flu and Covid vaccinations paid to GP practices, although this would not happen before 2025/26 at the earliest.
As it stands, NHS England flu vaccination payments are made directly to GP practices while Covid vaccination payments are made to PCNs.
The procurement and supply of Covid-19 vaccines ‘will remain centralised’, the plan confirmed.
NHS England expects that the Covid-19 vaccine will ‘become available privately for purchase in due course’ but it added that this was ‘subject to manufacturer and provider decision’.
‘This is in line with other MHRA approved vaccines which are currently sold privately, including flu, and would not influence the scope or supply of the NHS programme,’ the document said.
‘DHSC has begun to facilitate conversations between manufacturers and providers to support this process.’
NHS England’s plan set out ‘future requirements’ for vaccine procurement including that it should be efficient and represent value for money; minimise wastage; and make vaccines ordering ‘simple’.
New models must only enable ‘rapid introduction of new products’, including in response to outbreaks; and ‘help address disparity in uptake’ by enabling ICBs to get vaccines ‘quickly to all the places they are needed, including outreach settings and rural locations’.
‘Having the right amount of vaccine in the right place at the right time is critical for any vaccination delivery network. Vaccine supply is, however, complex, with a wide range of products and providers, different storage needs and shelf lives, complex market dynamics and periods of supply constraint,’ the plan said.
As it stands, UKHSA manages the procurement and supply of childhood vaccines for all four nations of the UK. However providers in England, also including pharmacies, buy adult flu vaccine direct from manufacturers and wholesalers.
The Covid vaccine has been centrally procured since the pandemic, which the NHS England said was necessary due to the complex circumstances at the time.
