Written Instructions for influenza vaccination 2023/24
It is intended that for each influenza vaccination season a specific written instruction template, one for NHS Body or Local Authority organisations and one for independent or other providers, will be produced by NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) to support organisations in the provision of the seasonal influenza vaccination to their staff. This includes staff offering commissioned services, sub-contracted staff, agency staff, individuals undertaking work placements with the organisation and volunteers.
Local adoption
The written instruction can be adopted by organisations, including for peer-to-peer vaccination, following the signed authorisation of the written instruction by an appropriate doctor. Seasonal influenza vaccination and occupational health services contains further information.
Under the current legislation for the purpose of the written instruction, peer-to-peer vaccination refers to the administration of the seasonal influenza or coronavirus vaccine by an appropriately trained and registered nurse (or for an NHS Body or Local Authority, an occupational health vaccinator) to another employee of the same organisation.
NHS body or Local Authority
A national written instruction template is available for adoption by NHS and Local Authority (LA) organisations to facilitate the administration of the influenza vaccine as part of their occupational health service and peer-to-peer vaccination by appropriate vaccinators.
Please note, the national inactivated influenza vaccine PGD from UKHSA does not include vaccination as part of an occupational health service, or peer-to-peer vaccination. This is also the case for published National Protocols for influenza vaccination.
Independent healthcare provider
A national written instruction template is available for adoption by organisations other than NHS and Local Authority (i.e. independent healthcare providers) to facilitate the administration of the influenza vaccine as part of their occupational health service and peer-to-peer vaccination by registered nurses only.