People could soon buy Covid-19 booster jabs from pharmacies and other private healthcare providers.
The UK government has given the green light to private sales of Covid-19 vaccines. This is a significant change, as previously, the vaccines were only available through the NHS.
The decision to allow private sales of Covid-19 vaccines comes at a time when the number of people eligible for a free booster shot from the NHS has been reduced by about 12 million, compared to last year, after the minimum age was raised to 65 from 50.
Some pharmacists and private clinics are interested in offering Covid-19 vaccinations for sale on the high street to those no longer eligible on the NHS.
However, these high street jabs won’t be available in time for an autumn boosterthis year but should be by next spring.
According to a report in The Times, the government’s two suppliers, Moderna and Pfizer, have both confirmed supplying the NHS remains their priority.
However, Moderna said that it was ‘exploring the possibility and viability’ of providing jabs for private sales.
These vaccines could be supplied in the form of ready-filled syringes, rather than vials containing several doses, which are currently used by the NHS.
‘We have spoken to manufacturers we’re in contract with and made it clear we won’t prevent them initiating a private market for Covid-19 vaccines, rather we’d welcome such an innovation in the UK,’ said a UKHSA spokesman.
‘As far as we’re concerned, the ball is in the court of the manufacturers to develop the market with private healthcare providers.’
Pharmacists have welcomed the move after the NHS cut their payment to administer vaccines by a quarter.
One senior figure told The Times there was also ‘some interest from travel medicine providers’ in adding Covid to the range of vaccines they offer.
With the threat of new Covid-19 variants and waning immunity in most of the population, the move to cut free vaccine boosters and offer them for sale has been questioned.
It’s unclear how much these private Covid-19 vaccines will cost. However, it is likely to be more expensive than the flu jab, which typically costs £15-20 as Covid-19 vaccines are more expensive to produce.
Concerns have been raised that this could create inequality, as only those who can afford to pay will be able to get vaccinated privately. Critics argue that it will create a two-tier system of healthcare, with those who can afford it getting better access to vaccines than those who cannot.
However, the government said those who needed vaccinations would have access.
‘The Covid-19 vaccination programme continues to target those at higher risk of serious illness in line with JCVI advice, as those groups are most likely to benefit from booster vaccination at this time,’ said Philippa Harvey, director of the Covid vaccine unit at UKHSA.
‘The Covid-19 vaccine is not currently available to buy privately in the UK but there is no blanket restriction on private sales of licensed vaccines. UKHSA will continue to work with manufacturers to ensure there is sufficient vaccine supply available to the NHS programme.’
The most recent figures from UKHSA, for late July, showed that Covid cases and hospitalisations were rising.
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