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Written question asked by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Thursday, 21 March 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 April 2024. It was answered by Lord Markham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 April 2024 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

MMR Vaccine: Pharmacy

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for community pharmacists to administer the MMR vaccine.

Answer

As part of the national measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) improvement plan, NHS England has worked with regional commissioners to assess the potential for community pharmacy to deliver MMR vaccines, as part of a longer-term approach to improving uptake.

In specific response to the current measles outbreak, some areas have stood up community pharmacy sites on a time-limited basis to deliver the MMR vaccine to specific cohorts, based on local population need. For example, in the North West and the Midlands, National Health Service teams have used community pharmacies to step up their efforts to get more children protected with the MMR vaccine.

Using community pharmacy in this way will help to test the concept of community pharmacy playing a greater role in the delivery of vaccinations, and will support the integrated care boards’ work to develop a more coherent approach to vaccines, including where, when, and how to deliver them to maximise uptake, particularly in underserved populations.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3529
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Pharmacy MMR vaccine
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk