We wished to update colleagues regarding the arrangements for vaccinating care home residents with seasonal vaccinations, that is, influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations.
The LMC has become aware that ICBs have circulated an updated version 2.0 guide to the
Vaccination Programme taking into account the proposed update to the NHS England’s PCN DES specification for 2026/27. Colleagues should note that GPC England has not yet seen a draft of this specification and does not believe it is appropriate to place a duty or liability on PCNs to have generic responsibility for care home vaccinations created by the decision of one Core Member Practice. Now both COVID-19 and Influenza Enhanced Services are practice based, it is clear that decisions about participating in one or both vaccination programmes are a matter for individual practices, and this should not create a consequential liability for the PCN.
The LMCs advice is not to respond or confirm arrangements requested by the ICB in relation to this matter.
The LMC has seen an email sent to some PCNs in Sussex (there may be similar requests in other areas within the LMC Confederation) asking PCNs to confirm by Wednesday 11th March:
By close of play Wednesday, 11th March please confirm:
- Who is delivering vaccines to care home resident on behalf of the PCN
- Who is delivering vaccines to the housebound residents of practices not signed up
- If there is a delivery gap, have you contacted the pharmacies in your area, please give names of those contacted.
The LMC will share this letter with the ICB so they are aware; the LMC recommends practices/PCNs do not respond to the ICB on any of these points and instead ask where in the Enhanced Service specifications or current PCN DES specification is there a reference to responding to commissioners with this information by the suggested date of 11th of March. The PCN DES specification for 2026/27 has not even been published yet ICBs are using this as a catalyst for such demands.
The LMC has previously expressed concerns that the planned IoS fees for 2026/27 mean the seasonal vaccination programmes may be uneconomic for GP practices to deliver. If the approach above taken by NHS England, via ICBs, then this is likely to disincentivise participation further.
Seasonal Vaccination Provider Programme Guide Spring 2026 – v 2.0