As you are aware there have been delays to the supply of the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), Fluenz Tetra, that has affected both general practice and the schools programme. AstraZeneca, who produce Fluenz Tetra for the UK, had to delay delivery of a significant quantity of vaccine that was due to be delivered in early November. Most of the delayed stock has now passed the second set of tests and we are beginning to receive supplies again. Because of this PHE will be re-opening ordering for schools and increasing the allocation to GPs by another 5%.
We want to thank you for your continued work during this period.
Our weekly uptake data shows us that practices have been successfully prioritising high-risk children, but as you are aware, the childhood programme is running behind the normal timetable, which may result in fewer than usual high-risk children getting early protection via the schools based programme.
General practices should continue to implement the seasonal flu programme as outlined in the Direct Enhanced Service Specification (www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dess-sfl-and-pneumococcal-1920.pdf). As the flu season can sometimes start in early December, we would like to ensure that, where possible, high risk children are covered by the end of this month, and that the rest of the programme is on track to complete as soon as possible thereafter.
If not already in place, practices should aim to call in and offer vaccine to the following children by the end of November:
By mid- December, practices should have called in and offered LAIV to healthy children aged 2-3 years as outlined in the Enhanced Service Specification for the children’s programme https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/es-childhood-flu-1920.pdf
Recall for unvaccinated high risk children should also occur during December.
The local screening and immunisation teams should already be working with practices in areas where the primary schools programmes have been delayed. These teams will be able to facilitate access to additional PHE stock if required.
Further details on eligible groups can be found in the ‘Green Book’: www.gov.uk/government/publications/influenza-the-green-book-chapter-19
Please contact our team directly at england.londonimms@nhs.net if you have any queries.
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