Seasonal vaccinations service commissioning arrangements and service specifications for 2026/27
Dear Colleagues,
For 2026/27 there will be changes to the way seasonal vaccination services are commissioned for some providers.
From April 2026, general practice and community pharmacy will be the core providers of COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccination services. These services will be commissioned from general practice as an Enhanced Service and from community pharmacy as an Advanced Service in the first instance.
The 2026/27 GP and community pharmacy service specifications are now available. For the first time, the COVID-19 and adult influenza service specifications have been combined; read the GP enhanced service specification here :NHS England » Service specification: General practice seasonal vaccination services – COVID-19 and influenza vaccination enhanced services, and community pharmacy advanced service specification here: NHS England » Service specification: Community pharmacy seasonal vaccination services – COVID-19 and influenza vaccination advanced services.
We have additionally published letters explaining the key changes, service requirements, funding and sign up deadlines for GPs here: NHS England » Service specification: General practice seasonal vaccination services – COVID-19 and influenza vaccination enhanced services and for community pharmacies here: NHS England » Service specification: Community pharmacy seasonal vaccination services – COVID-19 and influenza vaccination advanced services.
Non-primary care providers, including NHS trusts and independent providers, may be commissioned only if there are specific gaps in service provision not covered by general practice and community pharmacy. These providers will be commissioned under the NHS Standard Contract following a local procurement process. The Standard Contract Schedules will be available in due course and published on Futures.
If providers have questions, they should talk to their regional team in the first instance england.london-covid19voc@nhs.net. They can also email the national team at:
england.vacspolicyandcontracts@nhs.net
Kind regards
RVOC
LONDON-COVID19VOC, England (NHS ENGLAND) england.london-covid19voc@nhs.net