Numark has launched a pilot private pneumococcal vaccination service hopes to gather sufficient data from the service to support the commissioning of an NHS service for pharmacy.

The symbol group has operated a private flu service for the past six seasons, training over 1,500 pharmacists on vaccination technique and anaphylaxis, supported LPCs in the commissioning and delivery of NHS flu services and introducing the first pharmacy flu service in Northern Ireland.

“The commissioning of a national flu service in England is recognition that pharmacists are more than capable of taking on new clinical roles and can contribute significantly to public health targets and the health of the nation,” said Michael Stewart, Numark’s information pharmacist.

“This is not the time to rest on our laurels; the influenza vaccine is just one component of the immunisation schedule, so why should we stop there? Why can’t other vaccinations be delivered through a pharmacy service as part of the NHS? The precedent has been set and at Numark we are continuing to push the vaccination agenda and promote pharmacy’s role in safeguarding public health.”

Numark members will have free access to the private PGD service in return for recording consultation data on the PharmOutcomes platform.

The twelve-month pilot service will vaccinate patients against pneumococcal disease using two vaccines, Prevenar13, a conjugate vaccine, and Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine.