New legislation has been called for to let pharmacists ease the pressure on GPs during flu season.
Politicians say a change in the law, allowing the staff to also offer immunisations against the winter virus, would help “significantly” in protecting more vulnerable people from getting sick.
In recent weeks doctors’ surgeries across the region have been plunged into chaos.
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On one day last month, more than 1,000 patients turned up at one Aberdeen practice to get the immunisation.
And while the vaccines on offer do give full flu protection, only those over 75 are being prioritised for “enhanced” vaccines due to low supplies.
A total of 331 people were killed by the virus in the first three months of the year – a rise of 360% on the 72 recorded over the same period in 2017.
The Scottish Conservatives have said that introducing new legislation to allow pharmacists to help GPs administer flu jabs will make a “significant” contribution to reaching target numbers of those immunised.
Pharmacies currently give vaccinations on a private basis at a cost although health workers and professional carers can be eligible to get it for free.
However, patients over the age of 65 or with underlying medical conditions are not currently eligible under the pharmacy scheme.
Aberdeenshire West MSP Alexander Burnett said: “After it emerged that under-75s in the North East will not get the most effective flu jab this year, there have been reports that over-75s are having to wait weeks for (enhanced vaccine) Fluad.
“Anything which can ease the pressure on General Practice will be welcome news for those who have to wait.”
Harry McQuillan, of Community Pharmacy Scotland, said: “Last year the number of people suffering flu doubled from the previous year.
“Our vaccination rates fall well below World Health Organisation targets, and we’ve never managed to vaccinate more than 61% of ‘at risk’ adults under the age of 65.
“Meanwhile, we have a network of 1,250 pharmacies staffed by qualified clinicians throughout our communities, often open six days a week.
“We need the required change in legislation to allow us to come into line with England, where pharmacists delivered 1.17 million flu vaccinations between September and January last winter.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “While community pharmacies play an important role in the provision of NHS services they do not currently provide NHS flu vaccinations.
“We are in the process of undertaking a review of vaccination in Scotland, and this will include consideration of how we might make vaccines available in different ways in the future.
“The NHS flu vaccination provides the best available defence against flu and we would encourage everyone who is eligible to take up the offer.
“This year’s programme is already underway, offering free flu vaccination to over two million people across Scotland.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “While community pharmacies play an important role in the provision of NHS services they do not currently provide NHS flu vaccinations.
“We are in the process of undertaking a review of vaccination in Scotland, and this will include consideration of how we might make vaccines available in different ways in the future.
“The NHS flu vaccination provides the best available defence against flu and we would encourage everyone who is eligible to take up the offer.
“This year’s programme is already underway, offering free flu vaccination to over two million people across Scotland.”
