Flu Vaccine Letter from NHS 8.11.19

20191108 Letter UK-wide Fluenz Tertra Stock Delay Guidance

8 November 2019

Public Health Directorate Health Protection Team
Summerfield House
2 Eday Road
Aberdeen
AB15 6RE

To all:
GPs
Practice Managers
Head Teachers
School Immunising Staff

Date 8th November 2019

Enquiries to: 01224 558460
Email: nhsg.immunisationteam@n hs.net
Dear Colleague
Re: UK wide issue affecting the supply of the child flu vaccine

It has come to our attention there is some incorrect information currently circulating among schools, pupils, parents and guardians about the postponement of elements of the primary school flu vaccination programme.  This letter is to confirm details of the interim arrangements in place during the period of postponement. To minimise the risk of vaccine errors, please adhere to the following guidance.

School Immunising Staff
The School Immunising staff will visit primary schools on the scheduled date or even earlier where
possible to vaccinate
 children with underlying medical conditions,
 children who are 4 years old on the day nurses attend that school
 children who live in a household with a severely immunocompromised contact in accordance with t he Green Book guidance.
Nurses will either administer the Live Fluenz Tetra vaccine (LAIV) or the Quadrivalent (QIVe) vaccine depending on the child’s or family member’s medical history.

GP Practice Staff
Practices will continue to provide Flu vaccine to secondary school age pupils with an underlying medical condition or who live in a household with a severely immunocompromised contact in accordance with the Green Book guidance.

In December, when more Fluenz Tetra stock is available, GP staff may also provide catch up vaccination for those primary school pupils who missed their scheduled school session. Please note this only applies to pupils whose scheduled school session took place prior to November 6th. These will be pupils who missed their school session due to being absent/ill on the day and who will not obtain a further vaccination opportunity via the school nursing staff. See the attached list of involved schools.

Parents / Guardians
Please be assured if your child s Flu vaccine has been delayed due to the postponement , another opportunity for your child to be vaccinated will be made available. Contingency plans are currently being made and further details will follow to ensure you r child can be vaccinated before the end of January.

NHS Grampian do not recommend that you source immunisation by injection from a community pharmacy or elsewhere as the Fluenz Tetra nasal spray is the most effective Flu vaccine for children. The QIVe injection is only recommended to those individuals aged 2-18 years for whom clinical reasons mean live attenuated intranasal influenza vaccine (Fluenz Tetra) is not suitable. Furthermore, sourcing immunisation elsewhere increases the risk of duplicate vaccinations being given at a rescheduled session as school nursing staff will vaccinate based on the information you have already provided on your completed Consent Form, unless they have been advised otherwise.

Please note, if your child has obtained the flu injection at a chemist it is your responsibility to pass these details onto the school and the GP practice to reduce the risk of duplicate vaccination.

If your child is recommended to have the Flu vaccine due to a household contact being severely immunocompromised and this information has not been detailed on your returned Consent Form please call the Immunisation Team on 01224 558460 and these details will be passed to the appropriate nurse.

School Staff
Please share the above advice as far as possible with parents/guardians and pass any relevant vaccine information you receive from parents/guardians to your school immunisation nurse. Any queries regarding the above please telephone 01224 558460.

Yours sincerely,
Katrina Morrison
Vaccination Programme Manager
cc. Head teachers