Services Database Children’s (4-11) Seasonal Influenza Primary School Pilot Project 2013-14

Service ID

13626

Description

The aim of the service is to cover all primary school age children living in Cumbria or registered with a Cumbrian GP from 17th September 2013 to 31st December 2013, in order to achieve maximum impact before influenza starts to circulate. All community pharmacists who have been trained in vaccine administration can provide the service to maximise uptake of the target group.

Children are invited by letter, a patient consultation from is completed for each individual, who is then vaccinated with one intranasal dose of Fluenz as detailed in an approved PGD. The vaccine is supplied at no cost to the pharmacy by weekly delivery from the manufacturer. SOPs must be in place to include procedures for maintaining cold chain integrity.

All patients who are contraindicated for Fluenz are to be referred back to own GP.

The intended service outcome is to reduce the serious morbidity and mortality from influenza infections in children by immunising all children in the specified age group.

Location of service

North Cumbria LPC

Commissioner

Public Health England (PHE)

Method of commissioning

Other

Source of funding

Public Health England (PHE)

Service type

Seasonal influenza vaccination

Other organisations involved

A steering group included Public Health England, NHS England Area Team, LPC, the Director of Public Health and Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (third party commissioner and project management).
PharmOutcomes was used for data entry and analysis.

Dates

Start date: 17/09/2013
End date: 31/12/2013

Status

Completed

Training

Formal training programme on nasal immunisation to include anaphylaxis.
Training to work under PGDs
CPPE e-learning programme 'Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults'

Comments

The programme delivered 13,573 vaccinations – 11,113 by pharmacies, 2389 in GP surgeries and 71 in the community clinic. In total 37.2% of primary school age children were vaccinated. This is an impressive achievement for a new vaccine delivered through a novel method.