6 January 2011
Our response to a statement made by Boots regarding flu vaccines for the under-16s.
Responding to comments from Boots, a Care Quality Commission (CQC) spokesperson said:
"Nothing in the CQC registration prevents Boots Company PLC offering flu vaccines to under-16s, as long as Boots has properly trained staff and the right facilities in place.
"It registered with the Care Quality Commission on 1 October 2010 under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, for treatment of disease and disorders or injuries (which covers treatments such a flu vaccinations), diagnostic and screening procedures, family planning and services in slimming. There are no conditions on its registration that limit the age of people that it can treat.
"When services are provided to children and young people, CQC expects the provider to be able to demonstrate that its staff are properly trained and qualified and, if needed, age appropriate facilities and equipment are in place. Only where we find that it is not doing this or there are very specific reasons why we want to detail restrictions on the services, would we specify the age range this is not the case with The Boots Company PLC."
Ends
For further information please contact the CQC press office on 0207 448 9401 (07917 232 143 out of hours).
Notes to editors
About the CQC: Snippet for press releases
About the Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.
We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.
We monitor, inspect and regulate services to make sure they meet fundamental standards of quality and safety and we publish what we find to help people choose care.