Services Database Seasonal Flu Immunisation Programme under a Patient Group Direction (PGD) 2014-15 (Across the Northern Region – 4 LPCs Involved)

Please note this service is commissioned across the northern region of LPCs by the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear Area Team. Therefore, the following LPCs have the same seasonal influenza vaccination service in their areas:

• Cumbria LPC
• Gateshead & South Tyneside LPC
• North of Tyne LPC
• Sunderland LPC

The service has only been added onto the Services Database under this entry to avoid duplication.

This service will require the pharmacist to administer flu immunisation to eligible adult patients as detailed in the NHS England approved Client Group Direction. Eligible patients include people aged 65+ or adults who are in the at-risk groups as defined by the Department of Health for the 2014/15 flu season.

The pharmacy contractor is responsible for ensuring the requirements for staff training are in place and staff involved in the administration of the vaccine must have attended a formal immunisation training programme and have the necessary skills & competencies together with documented evidence of that training. This is to include vaccine administration, anaphylaxis recognition & treatment, basic life support, cold chain integrity & infection control.

If pharmacists have previously undergone training they must subsequently complete an annual update in the recognition and treatment of anaphylaxis together with basic life support. Pharmacists administering less than 30 vaccines in any preceding year must repeat full training.

Pharmacists must also have completed training to work under PGDs and have signed up to work under the current seasonal flu PGD. A signed copy must be kept in the pharmacy.

The pharmacy contractor must nominate a named person(s) within the community pharmacy who will be responsible for the administration of the flu campaign and advise the NHS England AT of their name(s).