According to reports, patients now have the option of getting flu vaccine shots from either their pharmacist or GP, as soon as the move that permits pharmacists get green signal all over the country to give shots.

Also, rather than going in for doctor’s surgery, patients can go to a local chemist where the vaccine is given in a special consultation area, and the Health Minister, James Reily, is expected to disclose the new move to the public.

However, a competition between pharmacists and GPs on the amount charged to administer the vaccines is expected, which will be good news for patients, as some of the GPs have been charging their normal consultation fee of €50 with the exception of the cost of the vaccine to private patients.

Boots chemists last year , was reported to be the first pharmacy group to administer the flu vaccine to private patients just under its own arrangements, charging an all expense fee of €30. Dr. Reilly also ascertained that he will reduce the €33 state fee recently paid to GPs to give the vaccine to medical card holders.

Moreover, the reduction in fees for administering the vaccine to medical card patients will not be good news for GPs, though it’s a major move, out of the series of reductions in payments to doctors for state schemes.