This message is for all pharmacies offering NHS Vaccination Services
Following the start of the vaccination season we would like to make contractors aware that the National Booking System (NBS) is only a booking system with no triage controls.  It does not filter patients by age or conditions.  It is purely a booking system. It relies on patients making a declaration that they are eligible whilst booking.  Essentially it allows anyone to book. We would like to remind contractors that they must clinically check the eligibility of all patients for either vaccine.  Flu or Covid.

Full details of the eligibility can be found in the service specs. 
Covid 
(Please note this has changed from last autumn and now mirrors the spring campaign)
Over 75 Years of age
lives in a care home
Immunosuppressed (as defined in the green book)
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We understand that pharmacies are having to deal with extra workload to  deal with disappointed patients and we have made strong representations to the local and national teams about this extra unfunded workload. The LPC’s are concerned that if vaccines are given to the wrong cohort as as result of the NBS pharmacies may be subject to Post Payment Verifications later down the line so would urge contractors to ensure their teams are ensuring the correct eligibility is being adhered to. We understand that pharmacies have made a significant contribution to this year’s campaign in the first couple of days and are proud they are making a difference. 

Whilst we understand the problems the NBS has caused and heightened  patients expectations it has created we are really keen that pharmacies continue to provide an excellent service with in the parameter of the service specification.