Overview

• Community Pharmacy England says roughly one third to one half of people booking through the NHS system are not eligible for the Covid vaccine this winter.
• The NHS confirms vaccinators check entitlement during pre‑vaccination consultations, with the website relying on self‑declared eligibility such as immunosuppression.
• Eligibility this season is limited to people aged 75 and over, those who are immunosuppressed from six months to 74 years, and residents of older‑adult care homes.
• Pharmacies report confusion and incidents of abuse toward staff when patients are told their NHS booking cannot be fulfilled for Covid, though flu eligibility remains broader.
• National pharmacy groups have raised the issue with NHS England and the Department of Health, with officials urging the public to verify eligibility and noting that private Covid vaccinations are available at about £100.