Read this page alongside the UK Health Security Agency 'Green Book' which provides the most up to date information on vaccinations
Immunisation programmes
- PGD: provides guidance on how to administer immunisations. If authorised, you can find our PGDs on BambooHR
- PSD: in certain situations, you will need a PSD for guidance on administering immunisations to a named patient. These will be written and given to you by a prescriber.
Childhood Immunisation
- This programme includes all vaccines offered to children from the ages of 8 weeks to 18 years
- If a patients’ immunisation course gets interrupted, make a note of this in their patient notes on EMIS and make every effort to ensure that it is resumed as soon as possible. You can find more information on the vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status here.
At risk groups
Patients in high-risk groups may also be offered vaccinations against:
Travel vaccinations
For information on the travel vaccinations which we provide, please visit our Travel Vaccinations page.
Older Adults
Recommended vaccines:
- Flu Vaccine 🌬️
- COVID-19 🦠
- Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV) 💊
- RSV Vaccine 🤒
- Shingrix (Shingles Vaccine) 🌟
Provides protection against seasonal influenza, which can cause serious respiratory illness, especially in older adults. Annual vaccination, ideally in autumn.
Protects against severe illness, hospitalization, and death caused by COVID-19, particularly in older adults who are at higher risk. Can be co-administered with flu in autumn/winter.
Prevents infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. Typically one dose for those over 65 (can be co-administered with most other vaccines).
Reduces the risk of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can cause severe lung infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia in older adults. Avoid same-day as COVID-19 or flu, unless needed.
Prevents shingles and its complications, such as long-lasting nerve pain (postherpetic neuralgia) in older adults, particularly those over 50. Administered in two doses (can be co-administered with most other vaccines).
Pregnant People
Recommended vaccines:
- Flu Vaccine 🌬️
- COVID-19 Vaccine 🦠
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccine 😷
- RSV Vaccine 🤒
Protects the pregnant person and their baby from serious flu complications. The baby is also protected during the first few months after birth. Can be administered any time during pregnancy, ideally in flu season.
Protects both the pregnant person and their baby from severe illness caused by COVID-19. Reduces the risk of complications during pregnancy. Can be co-administered with flu.
Protects against whooping cough, which can be life-threatening for newborns. The vaccine boosts the mother's immunity, which is passed on to the baby. Recommended from 16 weeks onwards (during the second trimester).
Protects against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, which can cause severe respiratory illness in infants and pregnant individuals. Recommended from 28 weeks (third trimester).
Responsibilities
Administering immunisations
Before administering an immunisation, you must make sure that you:
- have attended Infection Prevent and Control (Blue Stream Academy), Basic Life Support (every 18 months) and Anaphylaxis training (every 3 years). Read the minimum standards for immunisation training for more information
- understand how vaccines prevent communicable diseases
- understand the current National and local immunisation schedules in place
- have checked the suitability of the patient for immunisation
- understand any associated contraindications, specific considerations and possible side effects
- feel confident discussing the benefits and risks of the vaccine with the patient and their family
- know how to handle any untoward incidents that might happen (e.g., fainting, anaphylaxis)
- understand how to properly store, transport, handle and dispose of vaccinations (as described in our Managing Vaccines & Refrigerators page)
- understand how to record notes on patient records in EMIS and the Personal Child Health Record (PCHR) (aka the “red book”)
- recognise any limits to your own knowledge or skill, and ask for help when you need it
- understand the 6 Right’s of administration - right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, consent
Call and recall for our immunisation programmes is done using Hippo. This should include a way of following up on ‘hard to reach’ families or vulnerable groups. For more information see our and Booking Vaccination & Immunisation pages.
- Complete routine immunisation schedule
- Patient Specific Directions (PSD) NHS England
- Immunisation training standards for healthcare practitioners (Public Health England)
- Hepatitis B vaccine - NHS
- TB vaccine - NHS
- Flu vaccine - NHS
- Pneumonia vaccine - NHS
- Chickenpox vaccine - NHS
- The Greenbook https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immunisation-against-infectious-disease-the-green-book