C+D approached both the NPA and Numark to ask whether they could share information about their indemnity insurance cover, share details of the discussions they have had with the DH on this topic, and whether they agreed with the DH that “COVID-19 vaccination has a similar clinical negligence risk profile to flu vaccination”.

“Like other insurance providers, NPA Insurance is not currently at liberty to share any details of the discussions underway, which are subject to commercial confidentiality,” an NPA spokesperson told C+D last week (August 11).

Numark was unable to share a response at this stage.

Speaking at a webinar for community pharmacies and GP practices last month (July 15), NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) director of primary care vaccination Caroline Temmink said that community pharmacies will have to pay for indemnity cover in the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

However, C+D revealed earlier this month (August 4) that the DH had consulted with the community pharmacy sector on proposals for a "risk-sharing" model covering COVID-19 booster vaccinations.

According to the consultation document, seen by C+D, the DH was “making arrangements with insurance providers in respect of clinical negligence cover from September to March 31 to ensure cover is available at an affordable price to those community pharmacies engaged under this local enhanced service”.

The DH wrote in the document that it was “anticipating” insurance options would be “available for purchase in August 2021”.

No update on progress of arrangements

The DH told C+D last month (July 27) that it was working with insurers to share risks relating to clinical negligence, to support those pharmacies that will participate in the COVID-19 booster programme. A DH spokesperson told C+D today (August 18) that the DH had no updates to share at this point.

Phase 3 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is expected to run from September to March 31 next year. 

An NPA spokesperson told C+D: “In view of the government’s intention to scale back and then remove state-backing, the responsible thing for pharmacy insurers to do is develop affordable and sustainable solutions, working with the NHS to keep premiums low.

“We have been working closely with the NHS throughout the pandemic to ensure that pharmacies have had access to affordable cover solutions, and this will carry on into phase three,” they added.

They specified that the state-backed indemnity cover only offered protection for the administration of vaccines, but did not extend to “other crucial jeopardies, such as public liability and employers’ liability”.