Community pharmacies in England delivered a record number of flu vaccinations this past October, but a broader winter vaccination program faced significant challenges due to communication issues and eligibility confusion surrounding COVID-19 boosters, according to evidence presented to the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee on .
Fin McCall, chair of the service development subcommittee at Community Pharmacy England (CPE), told MPs that clearer messaging and improved booking systems are crucial for successful pharmacy-led vaccination programs. The committee was examining the effectiveness of the government’s vaccination strategy and its impact on reducing pressure on hospitals during the winter of 2025.
A total of 3,346,895 flu vaccinations were administered through community pharmacies in October 2025 – the highest October total since the community pharmacy flu vaccination service began in 2015. This represents a 6.4% increase compared to October 2024 (3,144,937) and an 85.2% increase compared to October 2023 (1,807,234), according to CPE data. CPE has not yet released figures for the remainder of the winter vaccination program beyond October 2025.
McCall emphasized the capacity of the community pharmacy network to expand vaccination services. “We’ve got 6,000 general practices with 10,000 pharmacies,” he stated, highlighting the accessibility and scale of pharmacies in delivering vaccinations.
The challenges identified extend beyond logistical capacity. The committee heard that confusion regarding who was eligible for a COVID-19 booster, coupled with poor communication about the program, led to what McCall described as “absolute chaos.” This suggests a disconnect between public health messaging and the practical implementation of the vaccination rollout.
The issues surrounding vaccine communication are not new. A recent report highlights a growing trend of vaccine hesitancy, fueled by misinformation circulating online. Virginia Chachati, a pharmacist working in public health and medical communication, noted that patients frequently cite online sources when questioning the safety and efficacy of vaccines. “Somebody will come in and say, ‘I don’t think you should be offering the flu vaccine, I think it does more harm than good’,” Chachati recounted, adding that patients often state they “got it online” when asked about the source of their information.
Data from April 2024 to March 2025 showed a 1.2% decrease in UK coverage for the pre-school booster (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio: dTaP/IPV) compared to the previous year, indicating a broader decline in vaccine uptake. Experts like Alex De Figueiredo, assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and statistics lead at the Vaccine Confidence Project, have observed a decade-long trend of declining childhood immunization rates.
The spread of vaccine skepticism is further complicated by public figures voicing concerns about vaccine safety. In , former US president Donald Trump raised concerns about the safety of combined childhood vaccines and suggested a link between paracetamol and autism – claims for which there is no evidence. Following these comments, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting affirmed his trust in doctors over President Trump, stating on ITV’s Lorraine program, “I trust doctors over president Trump.”
These instances underscore the importance of clear, consistent, and evidence-based communication from trusted sources. Healthcare professionals’ perceptions of challenges in vaccine communication and training needs have been the subject of recent qualitative research, highlighting the need for improved support and resources for those on the front lines of vaccine delivery. The study, published in July 2024, investigated healthcare professionals’ perspectives on challenges in vaccine communication and unmet training needs in this domain.
The record number of flu vaccinations administered by community pharmacies in October 2025 demonstrates the potential of this network to play a significant role in public health initiatives. However, addressing the communication challenges and combating vaccine misinformation are essential to maximizing the effectiveness of future vaccination programs and protecting public health.
