Flu Immunisation Update

The immunisation programme in the UK is constantly evolving to best protect the public by controlling vaccine preventable diseases. Health professionals must keep up to date with these changes. This programme will provide an annual update in principles and practice of influenza vaccination. It will discuss current policy and how this is reflected in a Primary Care environment.

AIM:

To provide participants with an understanding of the current Flu Vaccines – 2018/2019

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the session, participants will have the opportunity to:

Familiarise themselves with the current Flu Vaccines

Understand the principals and legal aspects of Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and Patient Specific Directions (PSDs)

Discuss the current PGD for the 2018/2019 Flu vaccine

Discuss storage of vaccines (including cold chain), holding, consent and recording.

*all participants will receive a certificate of attendance.

Registered nurses, GPs and midwives attending will be eligible to administer the Flu vaccine once they have read, understood and signed the Flu PGD in their work place.

Health Care Assistants/ ’Phlebotomists’ may attend but we must reiterate they are not legally eligible to use PGDs. If they are being asked to administer vaccines they are doing so under the instructions of their GPs using a prescription or a Patient Specific Direction (PSD) and they also need to be mentored before being deemed competent to give an injection/immunisation. This should be done in their work place. The RCN supports the role of the HCSW in administering influenza, pneumococcal and shingles vaccinations to adults providing they are appropriately trained and have the support of a registered health care professional and their employer.