Services Database Seasonal Influenza Immunisation 2014-15 (Across Dorset, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Area – 2 LPCs Involved)

Please note this service is commissioned across Dorset, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight by the Wessex Area Team. Therefore, the following LPCs have the same seasonal influenza vaccination service in their areas:

• Dorset LPC
• Hampshire & Isle of Wight LPC

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

The purpose of this service is to increase access to and the provision of seasonal influenza immunisation for pregnant women and patients aged 18-64 years who are in the agreed clinical at-risk groups.

The pharmacy contractor will ensure that any pharmacist who is involved in administering a vaccine has successfully completed a training course that meets the requirements of the National Minimum Standards for Immunisation Training (published by the Health Protection Agency).

Training must provide pharmacists with the skills necessary for administering intra-muscular injection, including:

• needle length and needle bevel – research findings on the significance of this;
• body mass and choice of needle length;
• intramuscular sites and the rationale for this choice;
• how to administer an intramuscular injection, including patient assessment, side effects and contraindications to influenza administration;
• anaphylaxis – recognition and treatment.

Where a minimum of 50 vaccinations have been delivered in the last 12 months, full training is not required, but completion of a refresher training course is required which should include recent national changes to the immunisation programme/ schedule.

The pharmacist must have completed and passed a recognised Basic Life Support (BLS) training course in the past 12 months, or approved update training. BLS training must be updated every 3 years; this can be face to face or via e-learning.

Pharmacist can access a resuscitation update via an e-learning module: PHE e-learning module (On-line immunisation training modules is available Skills for Health Core Learning: https://corelearning.skillsforhealth.org.uk/local/sfhadmin/login/index.php, through the NPA e-learning module or through approved alternative update training).

The pharmacist must have signed an authorised copy of the NHS England Patient Group Direction for the Administration of the 2014/15 Seasonal Influenza Vaccines by Community Pharmacists.

Pharmacists should maintain clinical knowledge appropriate to their practice by attending relevant study days, courses and making themselves aware of appropriate literature.