COVID-19 Vaccination programme 2020/21

For members in England please remain on this page. For members in the rest of the UK, please use the following links.

NPA update England COVID-19 vaccination programme: Phase 3 2021/22- Local Enhanced Service Specification and designation process for community pharmacy contractors

Deadline is 5pm on Wednesday 28 July 2021 to formally express an interest in becoming a designated site

Recent updates on COVID-19 vaccination
Update 19/07/2021 JCVI advises that children at increased risk of serious COVID-19 disease should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/jcvi-issues-advice-on-covid-19-vaccination-of-children-and-young-people
DHSC: JCVI interm advice on a potential COVID-19 booster vaccine programme for winter 2021 : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jcvi-interim-advice-on-a-potential-coronavirus-covid-19-booster-vaccine-programme-for-winter-2021-to-2022
DHSC press release: Most vulnerable could be offered booster COVID-19 vaccine from September: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/most-vulnerable-could-be-offered-booster-covid-19-vaccines-from-september

Update 17/06/2021: Letter issued by NHSE&I to invite all adults to get the COVID-19 jab in final push: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2021/06/nhs-invites-all-adults-to-get-a-covid-jab-in-final-push/
NHS COVID Pass: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/
NHSE&I COVID-19 publications
COVID-19 vaccination now available for those ages over 21 years
Update 15/06/2021: Letter issued by NHSE&I to state appointments for a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be brought forward from 12 to 8 weeks for the remaining people in cohort 10 who have yet to receive their second dose: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/acceleration-of-second-doses-for-cohort-10-and-plans-for-inviting-the-remainder-of-cohort-12/
Update 05/06/2021: MHRA Safety reports of approved COVID-19 vaccines: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions
SPS update: Using COVID-19 vaccines during hot weather: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/using-covid-19-vaccines-during-hot-weather/
SPS update: Preparing doses of vaccines using aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT): https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/preparing-doses-of-vaccines-using-aseptic-non-touch-technique-antt/
Update 04/06/2021: Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in children aged 12-15 years by the MHRA: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-mhra-concludes-positive-safety-profile-for-pfizerbiontech-vaccine-in-12-to-15-year-olds
SPS update on COVID-19 vaccines dosing information: https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/dosing-information-for-covid-19-vaccines/
Update 28/05/2021: MHRA give regulatory approval to the COVID-19 Janssen vaccine: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-covid-19-vaccine-janssen
(COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do update on Be careful: a new COVID-19 variant is spreading in some parts of England
COVID-19 vaccination now available for those ages over 25 years
Update 28/05/2021: COVID-19 vaccination is now available for those aged over 30 years

Update 18/05/2021 – COVID-19 vaccination is now available for those aged 36 and 37 years
Update 18/05/2021 – NHSE&I has issued a letter providing further actions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 B1.617.2 variant. In line with Government and JCVI guidance, the NHS is bringing forward the second dose of COVID-19 vaccines from 12 to 8 weeks for people in cohorts 1-9. Further details can be found here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/covid-19-vaccination-accelerating-second-doses-for-priority-cohorts-1-9/
Update 10/05/2021 – DHSC has issued guidance on “Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status when travelling abroad“
Update 07/05/2021- JCVI has issued advice to the UK government on the use of the coronavirus (COVID-19) Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged under 40
Update 30/04/2021 – people aged 40 and over can now book their COVID-19 vaccination via the national booking system
Update 26/04/2021 – 44 year olds will be invited to book their COVID-19 vaccination through the national booking service (online at nhs.uk or by calling 119). People will be contacted by text today and receive a letter later this week. Further details can be found in this operational update sent on Friday 23 April 2021 (registration required)
Update 17/04/2021 -JCVI announcement regarding COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and next steps
Update 15/04/2021 – Frequently Asked Questions: MHRA and JCVI guidance on AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and very rare clotting disorders

DHSC useful links:

New COVID-19 vaccine toolkit for employers launched: The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a new COVID-19 vaccine toolkit for employers to ensure employees are provided with reliable information regarding the COVID-19 vaccines. The toolkit contains useful resources for employers to run internal awareness campaigns. Further information can be accessed here.

Vaccine Uptake Plan
Vaccine Delivery Plan
Latest vaccination data
Bristol University ‘Global experts urge everyone to talk about COVID-19 vaccines responsibly’
Covid-19 PHE The Green Book – updated with new advice on pregnancy
Action fraud
NHS Covid vaccine

NPA webinar – Understanding COVID-19 vaccinations and addressing vaccine hesitancy

NPA updates

NEW 07/09/2021 – Guidance in relation to DBS checks, and specifically to requirements for vaccination services
25/2/2021 – Webinar on COVID-19 vaccination programme community pharmacy designated process (recorded on 23/2/2021) is now available to watch here. You may also find the experiences of member Olivier Picard, of Newdays Pharmacy, helpful. Olivier opened a pharmacist-led vaccination centre in Marlow in January 2021, and shares his experiences here
18/02/2021 COVID-19 vaccination programme: designation process opened again for community pharmacy contractors- key points and considerations
29/01/2021 Superintendent update: End of month update (January 2021) – includes key updates on COVID-19 (testing, vaccinations including legal mechanisms, professional indemnity and insurance, vaccine comparison chart
15/01/2021 COVID-19: IMPORTANT UPDATES and FAQS on COVID-19 antigen testing, COVID-19 vaccinations, and lockdown actions (England) covers COVID-19 vaccinations and FAQs, including professional indemnity and insurance and COVID-19 vaccination – legal mechanisms for administration
30/11/2020 IMPORTANT UPDATE: COVID-19 vaccination programme 2020/21 – key points and considerations for preparation for community pharmacy to contribute to a potential COVID-19 vaccination programme

NPA Resources

NEW 07/09/2021 – Guidance in relation to DBS checks, and specifically to requirements for vaccination services
24/2/2021 – A new cross-sector guidance (made up with NPA, CCA, PSNC, RPS and AIM) has been developed on the considerations pharmacy contractors in England should undertake before applying to provide the COVID-19 vaccination service. The latest version can be accessed here.
COVID-19 risk assessments – to support individual and workplace risk assessment assist assessed, identified and mitigated in the workplace.
COVID -19 vaccination risk assessments – to support pharmacy premises and offsite vaccinations
Standard operating procedures– including infection prevention, hand hygiene, needle stick injury and biohazard spillages, administration adrenaline and cold chain.
COVID-19 vaccination pre-screen questionnaire
Chaperone policy documents
COVID-19 vaccine characteristic comparison chart –This resource provides a quick reference of the vaccine characteristics and excipients information for the three COVID-19 vaccines currently temporary authorised.
COVID-19 vaccination programme vaccination site key considerations and risk assessment
Summary Care Record (SCR) resources – guidance and support for accessing patients SCR.
Safeguarding vulnerable adults and children– guidance and SOP.
Accessible Information Standard– brief guide, SOP and FAQs to support the Standard in your pharmacy.
Radicalisation and terrorism prevention guidance– resource to support pharmacy teams in identifying individuals, both patients and other team members, who may be subject to radicalisation and how to raise these concerns.

Please see below for useful resources

NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) coronavirus vaccination programme primary care guidance

Where you can find the COVID-19 vaccination SOP, legal mechanisms, COVID-19 vaccines clinical incidents SOP, community pharmacy local enhanced service documents, instruction on timing of second dose of COVID-19 vaccinations and COVID-19 Vaccine Oxford AstraZeneca – movement of vaccine

Access NHSE&I website here

Public Health England COVID-19 vaccination programme

Documents relating to the COVID-19 vaccination programme including national protocols, Patient Group Directions, guidance, training resources, consent forms, letters, leaflets, posters and Green Book chapter 14a COVID-19.

Access PHE website here

Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) COVID-19 vaccines – professional medicines advice

Guidance on the legal mechanisms and their use, template SOPs, maintaining cold chain and best practice storage of COVID vaccines

Access SPS website here

MHRA guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines

Regulatory information/updates on COVID-19 vaccines and safety, clinical trials, and medicines and COVID-19. Information for healthcare professionals on the Pfizer/BioNTech, Oxford University/AstraZeneca and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines

Access MHRA website here

COVID-19 Central Alerting System (CAS) alerts

A consolidated list of alerts issued on COVID-19 including general and COVID-19 vaccine alerts

Access COVID-19 CAS alerts here

COVID-19 yellow card reporting site

Report suspected side effects to medicines, vaccines or medical device and diagnostic adverse incidents used in coronavirus treatment including COVID-19 vaccines

Access COVID-19 yellow card site here

PHE Vaccine update collection

Vaccination newsletter for health professionals and immunisation practitioners

Access collection here

Regulatory - General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) COVID-19 vaccination information/guidance/FAQs

Guidance for those involved in the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Covering information on assurance and governance to ensure safety and accountability.

Access GPhC website here

Indemnity arrangements for COVID-19 vaccination programme

NHSE&I, DHSC, and NHS Resolution have issued a joint letter about the indemnity arrangements that are in place to cover the COVID-19 vaccination programme, which includes community pharmacy.

Access further information here

NPA DBS Checks

Guidance in relation to DBS checks, and specifically to requirements for vaccination services. Registered Healthcare Professionals, Healthcare Support Workers and unregistered vaccinators are required to have an enhanced DBS check against the adult and children’s barred list to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to 16-17 year olds.

Access guidance here

NPA COVID-19 vaccination training

Information on the suitability and content of this 2 hour virtual training session and additional COVID-19 training resources. From this page you can also link to details of our full vaccination training which includes COVID specific vaccination information.

Access NPA training here

Book or manage your coronavirus vaccination

NHSE&I have confirmed that community pharmacy staff are within the category of frontline health and social care staff eligible for a coronavirus vaccination

Access the NHS website here

JCVI issues interim advice on Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccination programme rollout

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has considered the evidence for Phase 2 of the UK’s COVID-19 vaccination programme

Access story here

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

Information and guidance on providing support to patients/staff who have COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy

Access NPA resource here

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and blood clots – updated advice issued by JCVI and MHRA

JCVI and MHRA have updated their information on the AstraZenaca COVID-19 vaccine and the extremely rare and unlikely link with blood clots. Updated advice for pharmacy teams

Access NPA update here

JCVI announcement regarding COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and next steps

NHSE&I has issued a letter providing next steps and actions for COVID-19 vaccination centers including community pharmacy on vaccination during pregnancy

Access letter here

COVID-19 vaccine animations launched to help tackle disinformation

NHS England and NHS Improvement has launched a series of animations aimed at tackling disinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine

Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has issued advice to the UK government on the use of the coronavirus (COVID-19) Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged under 40

Access PHE press release here

DHSC guidance on demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status when travelling abroad

How to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination status to show that you’ve had the full course of the COVID-19 vaccine and access this status when travelling abroad.

Access DHSC guidance here

PHE COVID-19 migrant health guide

Advice and guidance for healthcare practitioners on the health needs of migrant patients.

Access guide here

NHSE&I Long COVID: the NHS plan for 2021/22

The Long COVID Plan 21/22 builds on the five-point plan which outlines 10 key next steps to be taken to support those suffering from long COVID

Access Long COVID plan here