The April edition of vaccine update features: GP based programmes for meningococcal vaccines
Change to MenC programme
Vaccine supply and ordering
May Bank holiday supply
New research from the University of Birmingham, funded by the Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Cross-Council programme, has shown that flu vaccinations are more effective when administered in the morning.
This special edition of vaccine update features: information on the central supply of the BCG vaccine; advice on prioritisation of local BCG vaccine stock
Immunisation is one of the most successful and cost-effective public health interventions and a cornerstone of public health. High immunisation rates are key to preventing the spread of infectious disease, complications and possible early death among individuals, and protecting the population’s health through both individual and herd immunity.
Herpes zoster vaccine is effective in preventing herpes zoster disease and this protection can last three years. In general, zoster vaccine is well tolerated; it produces few systemic adverse events and injection site adverse events of mild to moderate intensity.
There are studies of a new vaccine (with a VZV glycoproteic fraction plus adjuvant), which is currently not yet available for clinical use.
In October 2015, NHS Employers, Public Health England and the Department of Health carried out an online survey to gather information about healthcare workers’ attitudes and experiences of having the flu vaccination and infection control. We had over 700 responses to the survey from healthcare workers in trusts across England.
The occurrence of epidemics, like H1N1 in 2009, mobilises the scientific community to focus on resolution of problems. For many years, flu vaccination was a dilemma for physicians taking care of patients with an egg allergy. The small amount of egg found in the vaccine was considered a contraindication to immunisation. However, most people with this allergy are young and asthmatic, thus clearly the ones who could greatly benefit from this immunisation. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
An expert group set up to review the methodology behind the United Kingdom’s decision to restrict access to the meningitis B vaccine to infants under 1 year old will report its findings in June, MPs have been told. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Influenza vaccination is administered annually as a preventive measure against influenza infection and influenza-related complications in high-risk individuals, such as those with asthma. However, the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in people with asthma against influenza-related complications is still not well established. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
This edition contains important information about:
vaccine storage and cold chain
administering multiple vaccines in one session
pertussis vaccination schedule changes
rubella susceptibility screening
vaccine supply and Easter holiday details
To determine whether the provision of contingency management using financial incentives to improve hepatitis B vaccine completion in people who inject drugs entering community treatment represents a cost-effective use of healthcare resources. Data on attendance to vaccination from a UK cluster randomised trial. Please contact the library to receive a copy of this article - http://bit.ly/1Xyazai
The Health Committee joins the Petitions Committee in a second oral evidence session to question charities and medical experts on whether the meningitis vaccine should be given to all children.
The Health Committee joins the Petitions Committee to hear from parents, Charities and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), on whether the meningitis B vaccine should be given to all children, not just new born babies.
Public Health England (PHE) is asking people to check that they have received two doses of Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles following an increase in confirmed cases over the past few weeks.
Vaccine coverage data estimates and commentary relating to the national MenACWY vaccine, introduced in response to an increase in cases of invasive meningococcal disease capsular group W (MenW) disease.