COVID-19 vaccination programme: Spring 2026 – seasonal forecast and initial allocation volumes available now in Federated Data Platform (FDP)

Dear colleagues,

Seasonal forecast and initial allocation volumes for the Spring 2026 COVID-19 vaccination programme have now been confirmed, calculated in line with the methodology set out in the provider guide.

Viewing your allocation

If your forecast appears insufficient

• Where a provider considers their overall forecast may not be sufficient to support planned activity across the Spring 2026 season, they should begin by utilising their initial allocation. Additional stock should only be requested via the exceptions process when it becomes operationally necessary.
• For GP practices and community pharmacies, further stock will be released automatically once the initial allocation has been sufficiently utilised. The exception to this is where a provider has been allocated Sanofi Nuvaxovid vaccine, in which case the full forecast volume will be available from the outset.

PCN Network DES collaboration

• Providers intending to collaborate under a PCN Network DES can donate allocation between GP practices directly within FDP. Please note that all donations must be completed via FDP before the vaccine is delivered.

Housebound and care home patients

• Volumes for housebound and care home patients are already factored into initial allocations. Providers do not need to request additional stock to vaccinate these patients.

Requesting additional allocation early

• The only scenario in which an early exception request should be submitted (via the “Request additional allocation” function in the Supply Dashboard), is where the initial allocation is insufficient to support activity planned in the first week of the campaign, and where utilisation would not occur quickly enough to trigger the automatic release of further stock in time.
• Throughout the campaign, exception requests will only be approved where there is a clear and demonstrable need for additional stock to support near-term activity.

Allocation donations between providers

• In some cases, short-term supply gaps may be resolved through allocation donations between providers, where it is clear the donating provider will not require that stock during Spring 2026. ICBs, and where necessary regional teams, can help identify suitable donation opportunities. Please note: all donations must be actioned via FDP and must take place prior to delivery of the vaccine.