‘Seen on time, no bother’ – What’s your vaccination experience?

Locally, the recent nnumbers from NHS England reveal almost 4 million COVID-19 and flu jabs were delivered in North East and Yorkshire as NHS protects vulnerable people ahead of winter.

Every winter, the NHS undertakes the daunting task of vaccinating millions of people against these infections, that are more prevalent during cold periods.

In November 2024, Healthwatch England looked at recent feedback about getting vaccines to determine what people think of this vital winter service. Healthwatch North Yorkshire also listened to people's experiences locally.

Patients value the service

Unlike most health and social care areas, people's experiences about receiving vaccines are generally favourable.

Although views shared with us on this topic are brief, the feedback is focused on the same points.

1. The process of being contacted about and then booking a jab for a viral infection like flu or COVID-19 is easy and efficient.
2. When people attend their vaccination appointment at a GP or pharmacy, they find the process quick and easy.
3. The staff doing the vaccinations are friendly and professional.
4. People really like it when they can get flu and COVID-19 jabs simultaneously rather than attending separate appointments.

What could be better?

When it comes to negative feedback, we heard that people face problems getting the vaccines.

When vaccines are unavailable locally; people report travelling to different towns to get a jab.

These experiences, which were shared with Healthwatch North Yorkshire, illustrates the point:

"Although I am not comfortable with the new system of accessing my GP surgery, I have been able to use the telephone to access the services I've needed so far, usually without waiting very long. However I have found that when vaccinations and boosters are required,  they are not always dealt with at my local surgery, which is inconvenient if I have to travel to another location. I am having treatment for bladder cancer, which is now 5 years clear. I have found this treatment has been going very well and I am satisfied with the way it is carried out. I used to have regular sessions  at my hospital for help coping with Parkinson's. This service was discontinued some time ago and is very much missed."

"We have a high risk 5-year-old child who received a letter in November saying they needs to have COVID-19 injection before the December deadline. On top of this is is due to have surgery. We have contacted every single avenue to sort this, none are willing to provie an injection."

Other access issues people have told us about include:

• When NHS services do not offer the option of administering a COVID-19 and flu jab at the same appointment, patients must make an extra appointment and journey.
• When GP surgeries only administer vaccines over one or two days in the run-up to winter, which can be inconvenient and, in some cases, leads to people missing out.
• There are some reports of people facing long waits in pharmacies to get jabs.
• When the NHS tells patients who are previously eligible for a COVID-19 jab that they are no longer eligible despite feeling they are at high risk.

What's the NHS planning next?

The NHS vaccination strategy, which NHS England wants fully implemented this year, should build on aspects of the service people like.

For example, the NHS is making greater use of the NHS app so people can book appointments and see their vaccine history.

The NHS also wants to make co-administration of vaccines such as flu and COVID-19 the default offer if someone is eligible for both.

The strategy seeks to boost vaccine uptake in communities by partnering with local councils and other organisations. It also transfers responsibility for vaccine strategy to NHS integrated care systems, ensuring programmes better tailored to regional needs. These systems include NHS, councils, voluntary organisations and other community organisations who deliver healthcare and support. They work together to create better services based on local need.