Mandatory Covid-19 and flu vaccinations for NHS staff

The Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) worked with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) to survey our members following the launch of the Department of Health and Social Care Consultation on mandatory vaccination for frontline health and care staff in England Consultation on mandatory vaccination for frontline health and care staff - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

186 Pharmacy Technicians responded to the electronic survey, which was directly emailed to members, promoted on social media, and openly hosted on the RPS website.

APTUK and the RPS asked for views on whether the COVID and Flu Vaccinations should be made mandatory

The following results reflect responses from the pharmacy technician profession

COVID

Mandatory: 84 (45.2%)

Strongly encourage: 58 (31.2%)

Optional: 44 (23.7%)

Flu

Mandatory: 74 (39.8%)

Strongly encourage: 65 (34.9%)

Optional: 47 (25.3%)

As the professional leadership body for pharmacy technicians APTUK will continue to support the RPS position statement around ‘Strongly encouraging’ our members and the profession to be vaccinated for both Flu and Covid.

APTUK executive committee position

APTUK believe pharmacy technicians have a professional responsibility to support and protect our patients, communities, and staff by being vaccinated unless there is a medical reason why they are unable to. APTUK has lobbied for pharmacy technicians to be listed as key workers to enable them to be eligible for the vaccines as frontline workers. However, we recognise the pressure that mandating the vaccine has placed on the care home workforce and are anxious about the impact this could have on pharmacy technician workforce retention. APTUK strongly support pharmacy technicians to be vaccinated as part of public health prevention, and encourage those who are unsure to discuss their concerns with healthcare professionals.

APTUK do not believe that mandating the vaccine will increase uptake and are concerned this could pose a risk to the workforce. APTUK therefore support the members’ position of combining optional and strongly encouraging approach to being vaccinated against flu an COVID 19.