The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) are urging the NHS to commission pharmacies to provide a catch up service for the 30 per cent of teenagers who have missed their MenACWY vaccinations as well as to reform a childhood vaccination programme that is 'no longer fit for purpose' due to increasing levels of vaccine hesitancy.
The calls come in light of the recent outbreak of meningitis in Kent, with some pharmacies already reporting an uptick in patients approaching them for vaccination.
Take up rates for a range of childhood vaccinations, including for meningitis, have been steadily declining in recent years.
Currently pharmacies only provide vaccination against meningitis as well as MMR as a private service and are not commissioned by the NHS to do so.
Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association said:
"Pharmacists across the UK are very sad to learn about these tragic deaths in Kent.
"Some pharmacies are already seeing an uptick in patients contacting them to book MenACWY and MENB vaccinations and we anticipate this demand will continue to grow.
"Meningitis is a very serious illness but the risk can be significantly reduced through vaccination.
"Many parents may be unaware of the risks posed to older teenagers from meningitis and the importance of getting vaccinated.
"We are alarmed by falling vaccination rates for a number of diseases, including meningitis and measles, which shows our approach to childhood vaccination is not fit for purpose and is in need of urgent reform to tackle a growing wave of vaccine hesitancy.
"The NHS should urgently commission pharmacies to provide a catch up vaccination service for teenagers who did not receive their MenACWY immunisations as well as commissioning pharmacies to support NHS colleagues with wider childhood vaccinations.
"Pharmacies are quick, reliable and convenient places to receive vaccinations, with evidence suggesting that using pharmacies in other NHS vaccination campaigns increases uptake, particularly in more deprived communities.
"We must do all we can to prevent these outbreaks starting in this first place and the NHS should listen to the body of evidence that suggests pharmacies are key way to tackle a growing and alarming drop off in vaccination rates among children."
