Immunisation guidance and policy

Stay Awesome

Good vaccines are only good if the vaccinator is good

*TIP! General government information about EVERY UK vaccine programme can be found HERE

These are the standards to meet if you are going to be an immuniser. Can also be found here.

These are the standards to meet if you are working under PGD

Time for a quality check anyone?

*TIP! There are additional competencies for COVID-19 vaccinators!

Don't be caught out here. You will definitely be glad you know this stuff if an anaphylaxis occurs.

What does the RCN support HCA's to administer? About time it got reconsidered since RSV and COVID-19 vaccines came along IMHO...

Expectations of the role in immunising.

*TIP! There are additional NICE competencies for people working under PGD! And have you seen the ELFHC PGD course developed in January 2022?

Don't wait to read this until a Friday near end of the day when someone tells you they were bitten by a kitten in Turkey!

The cheat sheet that gets us through the day.

The other cheat sheet that gets us through the day.

*TIP! Did you know EVERY GOV.UK page has an option to sign up for email alerts? Look out for this icon --->

It's how you deal with them that counts.

The strategy sets out how UKHSA will work with their partners over the next 5 years to ensure that:

there is more accountable system leadership on immunisation inequities
access to timely, high-quality data on immunisation is improved for all relevant stakeholders to enhance policy, strategy and delivery activities
practitioners and policymakers are better able to generate, share and use evidence to promote immunisation equity
people- and place-based approaches to communication and engagement around immunisation with different communities and professional groups embedded in ways of working at all levels

Useful update on legal mechanisms from SPS: WEBINAR RECORDING What’s new in medicines mechanisms and governance PGDs (MAY 2025)

SPS also have a good video series:

Occupational health services explainer videos: 16 July 2024 · Short videos explaining medicines mechanisms in occupational health services, including written instructions.
PGD planning explainer videos: 1 May 2024 · Short videos explaining how to plan for the development of new, or review of existing Patient Group Directions (PGDs).
PGD supply and administration explainer videos: 1 May 2024 · Short explanatory videos about the supply and administration of medicines under Patient Group Directions (PGDs).
PGDs in practice explainer videos: 1 May 2024 · Short videos explaining Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and medicines mechanisms, and their use in practice.

General Practice Assistant resources and e-learning (free!) https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/general-practice-assistant/

This is a very useful article for de-mystifying the legal mechanisms around giving a vaccine - strongly recommended if you’re a bit confused by it all https://www.practicenursing.com/content/vaccines/best-practice-for-medicines-management-and-vaccination/

Accountability and Delegation information (applicable to all roles in the nursing team and all health and care settings.) https://www.rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/Accountability-and-delegation

CQC mythbusters: https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/gps/gp-mythbusters EXCELLENT resource, especially when planning for inspections!!