The UK childhood and adult immunisation programmes are regarded internationally as among the best in the world; providing the UK population with a high level of protection against vaccine preventable diseases.
The UK has comprehensive and increasingly complex national immunisation programmes. Advice and recommendations on the use of vaccines delivered as part of the National programme are provided by the Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination (JCVI); their advice and recommendations can be viewed here. Based on JCVI advice and recommendations the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) (for England), and equivalent departments in the devolved administrations in UK, formulate policy and provide financial resources. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) provide support services including disease surveillance, epidemiology, measurement of vaccine uptake and provision of nationally procured vaccines. Delivery of immunisation programmes is the responsiblity of NHS England, and equivalent NHS organisations in the devolved administrations. The NHS is required to commission services, contract with providers and performance manage provider delivery.
Clinial advice and guidance on immunisation is published in the ‘Green Book’ Immunisation against Infectious Diseases, and supported as policy or directives via Tripartite (DHSC, PHE and NHS England) national letters, Chief Medical Officers Letters and ‘Dear Colleague’ letters from the DHSC. The ‘Green Book’ is constantly reviewed and revised online. The latest immunisaton policy and commissioning information is available via the gov.uk website and NHS England.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued public health guidance 21: Reducing differences in uptake of immunisation (including targeted vaccines) among children and young people aged under 19 years (NICE, 2009), Flu vaccination: increasing uptake NICE guideline NG103 (NICENG218 Vaccination uptake in the general population (May 2022). The guidance is for the NHS, commissioners, managers and professionals who have a direct or indirect role in immunisation. IM can assist you in assessing your current levels of compliance with the NICE guidance and work on plans towards full compliance.
The safe and effective delivery of immunisations requires consistent and expert resources and clinicians. Our Consultant Nurse has many years of expertise working in the fields of immunisation and has a high national profile. To assist your organisation in achieving and maintaining high levels of uptake and safety we can provide expert clinical support to commissioners or providers of immunisation services.
IM can provide the following skills and expertise in immunisation provision, according to your organisational needs: