Several Ross Gazette readers have sent letters of concern regarding the ‘free’ NHS flu vaccine.

As well as GPs, who offer the vaccine freely to patients who are eligible, pharmacies are now offering the free flu vaccine, commissioned by NHS England.

Those who are eligible for the free NHS flu vaccine are urged by Ross Gazette readers, to have the vaccine done at their GP, rather than the pharmacy who will re-charge back to the NHS and claim revenue for their services.

NHS England has confirmed: “Any contractor providing services to the NHS, are remunerated for this service.”

An anonymous Ross resident said: “Pharmacies do non eligible people which is fine, but are also enticing the eligible, taking the much needed funding from surgeries.

“Also, I have heard pharmacies are going to be contacting nursing/residental homes, offering to do it there as well. And NHS England will pay the pharmacies for doing flu jabs. It is very wrong.”

Another Ross resident, Jean Fardoe, said: “Having your jab done by your local GP surgery means that any profit is invested back into front line NHS.”

She also added that she thinks MP Jesse Norman, should investigate.

But what if you are not eligible for the free vaccination?

The Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have also confirmed via NHS England, that: “Payments are retained by the provider offering the service.”

NHS England said: “The pharmacies concerned are entitled to charge for those services. And only the professional administering the vaccine gets paid.”

Unfortunately, those who are not eligible do not have an option of paying at their local GP.

A Ross Gazette reader said: “GP surgeries are upset at a loss of funding, whereby pharmacies maintaining that they are trying to help over-stretched surgeries, are not helping by taking funding from them.

“I hate to see a struggling NHS?and surgeries, and think it is very unfair that share holders of rich corporations, are lining their pockets at the expense of local services.

“Please can we support our local GP surgeries with the wonderful service they offer.”