Alliance Healthcare launches flu vaccination programme

Alliance Healthcare has announced the launch of its flu vaccination programme for 2012-13, a training scheme that will help pharmacists provide jabs as a private PGD (patient group direction) service.

The consumer health company will encompass training and marketing support for staff that will allow them to offer a convenient and efficient service, with a number of different manufacturer flu vaccines to be administered under this scheme.

A mixture of online and personal training will be provided by Alliance Healthcare, with pharmacists who have previously utilised the service able to refresh their skills with a catch-up course.

This year, the programme will also include a PGD that enables participants to offer the shingles vaccine.

Sanjay Pathak, Alliance Healthcare's head of pharmacy professional services, said: "The wider PGD helps to minimise any risks associated with vaccine availability and allows pharmacists to maximise the commercial opportunity."

Last month, the company's Alliance Boots division launched an expanded distribution hub in Burton-upon-Trent, which will help to expand its commercial capabilities.