Unfortunately, we are unable to deliver our popular “Drive through” Flu service this Winter season as outlined for the two reasons below.
- NHS England have mandated this cannot be delivered before 3rd October. We have previously run these clinics in September.
- Last year the practice made a loss of £14,000, due to unused vaccines that the practice purchased 10 months in advance to vaccinate our eligible patients.
The Drive-through service requires a significant financial commitment from the practice as well as a notable amount of time to arrange. Additional clinical and non-clinical staff are needed to maintain a safe and secure environment, as well as electrical equipment and internet services.
The practice must pre order flu vaccines 10 months in advance to ensure the vaccine manufacturer knows how much is needed to meet the demand. With more patient choosing to visit their pharmacy for the vaccine, we have no choice but to scale back our order with the vaccine supplier and re-evaluate the service we can offer to ensure the practice is not making a financial loss.
With the weather in October also likely to be more unpredictable we would struggle to keep the electrical/ clinical equipment dry, as well as our hardworking team.
Taking all of this into consideration,
This year we will be offering a booked appointment system at the surgery on
Saturday 5th October & Saturday 12th October
as well as frequent vaccination clinics within our opening hours throughout
October and November.
We have reduced the amount of vaccine we have ordered this year, so the vaccine will be on a strict first come first served basis, but our colleagues in community pharmacy will happily accommodate anyone wishing to visit them and some may be able to offer home visits too.
Thank you for your understanding.