COVID-19 Coronavirus, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles and other virus UK and World News Update 4th April 2025
The UK has announced Spring COVID boosters, with a focus on "protecting those who are most likely to become seriously ill", the same as last Spring, but unlike previously you have to COME FORWARD and book your appointment, rather than waiting for an invitation. Do this online at nhs dot uk /bookcovid or by calling 119.
Those eligible include:
- people aged 75 or over by 17th June
- residents of care homes for older adults (not staff or carers)
- people meeting immunosuppression criteria (check online for a list)
The UK Department of Health and Social Care has agreed an extra £167m funding (over 2 years) with Community Pharmacy England.
On top £193 million of debt for community pharmacy owners will be written off.
In return community pharmacies in England will:
- all offer the ‘morning-after pill’ free of charge
- offer patients prescribed antidepressants "convenient support at pharmacies".
- cut red tape, with more of the pharmacy team able to deliver services such as medicines advice, Pharmacy First services, and blood pressure checks.
- have financial incentives boosted for pharmacists to identify patients with undiagnosed high blood pressure, to take pressure off GPs.
- have funding for medicine supply boosted, so patients have better access to the medicines prescribed for them. This includes writing off the historic debt linked to dispensing activity during the pandemic and increasing fees linked to dispensing prescriptions.
