Getting jabs against a range of diseases will soon be “as easy as booking a cab”, the NHS has promised. Easier access to vaccine records via the NHS app and one-stop-shops where people can get their shots alongside other health checks are among measures set out in a new vaccination strategy on Wednesday.
Community outreach measures could also see vaccination teams attend school parents’ evenings to discuss the importance of immunisation.
Health bosses said the plans would boost uptake of vital jabs and bring the country closer to elimination of preventable diseases such as cervical cancer.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS England chief executive, said: “Just over three years ago Maggie Keenan was the first person in the world to receive an approved Covid-19 jab.
“Our vision for the future of vaccinations published today sets out how we plan to build on this huge success and save even more lives.
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“Through the NHS app, we’ll make sure booking a jab can be as easy as booking a cab so millions more people can get vaccinated – users will be able to access their full vaccine status in a matter of seconds and book jabs with a simple swipe and tap.”
More than 156 million Covid jabs have been delivered since December 8 2020, saving tens of thousands of lives.
Meanwhile, the human papillomavirus vaccine has been found to cut rates of cervical cancer among women who receive it when aged 12 to 13.
However, uptake of some vaccinations – including childhood jabs to combat meningitis, polio, diphtheria and tetanus – have fallen recently.
Coverage decreased for 12 out of 14 childhood vaccine measures reported in 2022-23, with none meeting the 95 percent target.
Steve Russell, NHS England’s national director for vaccinations and screening, said jabs were one of the best ways to boost public health, second only to clean water.
He said plans included “taking vaccines into the heart of communities where we see lower uptake rates, so offering vaccines at pop-up clinics and health hubs in shopping centres, and local schools teams going into parents’ evenings to address barriers to people consenting to their child’s vaccinations”.
Health minister Maria Caulfield said: “To ensure as many people get vaccinated as possible, we need to make sure the programme fits around people’s lives.
“Whether it’s booking via the app or stopping in while at parents evening with your children – we are unveiling new, innovative ways of getting these lifesaving jabs and easing pressure on the NHS.”
