An updated flu reimbursement letter for the 21/22 season has been sent out. Updates are as follows:
- QIVr was not initially eligible for reimbursement under the NHS Annual Influenza Vaccination programme for 2021/22, however doses of QIVr are now available to order in limited quantities and will be reimbursable. Other cohort appropriate vaccines (aQIV, QIVc, QIVe) remain reimbursable in any quantity.
- In addition, the annual flu letter will confirm that as part of wider planning for winter, people aged 50 to 64 years old will be eligible again for flu vaccination in 2021/22. Vaccines for this cohort will now be eligible for reimbursement with the timing and prioritisation to be confirmed in further operational guidance. In line with existing ordering advice, providers are expected to ‘at least equal the high levels of uptake achieved in 2020/21’.
- Two tables have also been added with PCN coverage targets incentivised through the Investment and Impact Fund, and information on how manufacturers can support you.
An online version can be found here – NHS England » Achievements and developments during 2020/21 flu season
The updated letter does not reference any changes to childhood flu. We expect any further announcements around school cohorts to follow.
Please note the 50-64yr cohort are now referenced – we understand there are no plans for national procurement of the vaccines for 50-64yrs.