Covid jab confusion a 'nightmare' for pharmacists

Many patients are unaware they are not eligible for a Covid vaccine this year

A pharmacist has said it has been a "nightmare" trying to organise Covid vaccines this year after a change in eligibility.

Ioannis Klappas, who works as a pharmacist at Yeovil in Somerset, said people are not aware the rules have changed and he is being forced to have "difficult conversations" with patients and faced some abuse.

He said: "It's been poorly communicated from the NHS as people just presume they are eligible at the booking stage without looking at the new criteria, it's been a nightmare on the ground and people are confused."

NHS England said eligibility has changed and people should check before booking.

Last year the jab was offered for free to anyone 65 years old and over and those with a long list of chronic or long-term conditions.

That has now been changed with the age limit raised to all those who turn 75 before January 2026, plus residents in care homes for older adults and people classed as immunosuppressed.

"We have come a long way since five years of covid through immunity and covid vaccines. It is not giving us as many hospitalisations as before,'" Mr Klappas said.

"A lot of people get a message from their doctors saying they're eligible for a flu vaccine, and that's not the same as the Covid vaccine," he explained.

"For example, 2.4 million people were eligible for the covid vaccine in the South West in 2024.

"This year, with the updated eligibility it's just 850,000 because the minimum age has changed from from 65 to 75."

Pharmacies across England have reported issues

Henry Gregg, head of the National Pharmacy Association, which represents independent pharmacists, said the issues have been raised with NHS England and the government.

"This should have been avoidable and it is deeply frustrating for both pharmacies and patients. We urge any patient in this situation to treat pharmacy teams with respect as pharmacies try and manage the new NHS clinical criteria."

Covid vaccines are available privately at high street pharmacists and cost around £100 per person.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has said Covid was now a "relatively mild disease for most people", with rates of hospitalisation and death having "reduced significantly".