FLU VACCINATION 2025-26: WHY SCOTTISH PHARMACIES MUST ACT EARLY
As this year’s flu season in Scotland has arrived sooner than usual, the role of community pharmacies is more critical than ever.
A
ccording to Public Health Scotland (PHS), early data shows a new “drifted” strain of influenza A(H3N2) could be circulating
and influenza activity is rising rapidly. For pharmacy teams across Scotland, the message is clear: ensure eligible patients are vaccinated as soon as possible to reduce severe illness and help protect health-services from winter pressure.
What’s Different This Season? Historically, flu seasons in Scotland tend to begin around December or later, but PHS reports the season started about a month earlier this year. The early onset, combined with the potentially more aggressive H3N2 strain, increases the urgency for eligible recipients to be vaccinated. H3N2 seasons are known to result in more severe illness - particularly among older adults. Pharmacies must recognise that this season is not business-as-usual. With earlier circulation likely and higher risk of strain mismatches, the window for intervention is shrinking. Early vaccination remains the most effective defence.
Why Pharmacists Are Key Community pharmacies are uniquely positioned to respond quickly:
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• Accessibility and convenience: Walk-in options, extended hours and proximity to patients.
• Trust and reach: Many patients already engage regularly with their pharmacy, presenting valuable opportunistic moments for vaccine uptake.
• Targeting hard-to-reach groups: Whether it’s younger eligible adults with chronic conditions, shift-working social-care staff, or family members of older adults, pharmacies can proactively identify and engage these patients.
Action Points for Pharmacy Teams Prioritise eligible groups immediately. PHS emphasises that older adults, those with long- term health conditions, pregnant women, children and health- and social-care workers should be vaccinated without delay.
Opportunistic offers during consultations or repeat-medicines pickups. If someone is seeing the pharmacist for a chronic-disease review or regular prescription, it’s an ideal time to ask, “Would you like your flu jab today?”
Promote early uptake. With the season’s early start, vaccine supply and scheduling may become
tight. Inform patients proactively and coordinate with local health-board pharmacies to avoid delay.
Engage staff and families of eligible patients. While many pharmacies focus on patients, consider campaigns for staff vaccination and for those living with older or vulnerable people.
The Wider Impact A strong flu-vaccination campaign helps protect the NHS Scotland system. By reducing hospital admissions, especially among older adults and those with long-term conditions, pharmacies help ease winter-pressure load on GP practices, emergency departments and hospital wards.
This flu season in Scotland demands prompt action. The early start, combined with new viral drift and the inherent vulnerability of certain groups, means that every vaccination counts. Community pharmacies can make a material difference in protecting patients and supporting the health-system.
Source:
https://publichealthscotland.scot/our- blog/2025/november/with-this-year-s-flu-season-starting-early -find-out-how-to-stay-protected/
COMMUNITY PHARMACIES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PROTECTING PATIENTS
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