Pharmacies facing angry patients over Covid jab confusion

CPE director of NHS services Alastair Buxton said it had become clear within an hour of the NHS website booking system, external going live last week that there was a problem.

He said lots of people appeared to be missing the information about eligibility on the booking system and making the assumption they were still eligible.

But when they turn up for their vaccinations pharmacies are only able to give them the flu jab.

"That obviously takes a lot of explaining to patients. It causes upset, concern and maybe anger for some patients.

"We've certainly had examples of some patients becoming abusive with pharmacy team members."

As well as shouting abuse, Dr Leyla Hannbeck, of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said she was even aware of patients throwing objects at staff.

"This is unacceptable," she added.

Patients have also been telling Your Voice, Your BBC News that they have been receiving text messages from the NHS and their GP asking them to come forward for their Covid jab despite not being eligible.

Henry Gregg, head of the National Pharmacy Association, which represents independent pharmacists, says 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."

Pharmacists said more should have been done to make people aware of the changes - given the flu and Covid vaccine programmes largely over-lapped last year.

In response to the problems, NHS England said the wording on the website had been changed to make it clearer the eligibility criteria had been tightened.

A spokeswoman added: "Please double check you are still eligible to receive a Covid vaccine before booking – the NHS website sets out whether your age, health condition or medication means you are eligible, and your GP practice or pharmacist will confirm this before giving you the vaccine."

And a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Abuse of our hard-working pharmacists is totally unacceptable - we expect pharmacy providers to report any inappropriate incidents where necessary."