This chapter of the Formulary has been produced to provide prescribing guidance in conjunction with the following resources:

• Public Health England (PHE)
• The Green Book (PHE)

Important

This chapter is designed to cover routine use of immunological products and vaccines. The Green Book has the latest information on vaccines and vaccination procedures for all the vaccine preventable infectious diseases that may occur in the UK. Where individuals may become exposed to infectious agents in the course of their work, they should be encouraged to take specialist advice from their general practitioner or occupational health service of their employer.

Routine immunisation programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Specific information regarding maintaining immunisation programmes (from NHS England (NHSE)) during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic can be found here.

Where possible, the routine immunisation programmes should be maintained and offered in a timely manner and non-scheduled vaccinations should still be given. Anyone with appointment cancelled as part of COVID-19 response should be invited for vaccination as soon as possible.

Information contained in the document includes:

• What personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn when administering vaccines
• Ordering vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic
• NHS Immunisations FAQs (for the public)

Useful links

• The complete routine immunisation schedule (PHE)
• The routine childhood immunisation schedule (PHE)
• UK immunisation schedule (The Green Book; Chapter 11)
• Patient Group Directions for NHS primary care services in the South West of England
• Immunisation patient group direction (PGD) templates (PHE)
• For Immunisation Schedule queries please contact: england.swicars@nhs.net
• NHS England and NHS Improvement South West helpful information
• Emergency treatment of anaphylactic reactions (Resuscitation Council (UK)))

Patient information leaflet

• What to expect after vaccinations (PHE)

This leaflet gives information about the common side-effects of vaccinations that might occur in babies and young children up to 5 years of age.