Information
A standard operating procedure is attached to this page.
You should also familiarise yourself with our background guide Facilitating Pharmaceutical support to PCN Designated Sites for COVID-19 vaccinations before using this SOP.
The core principles in the SOPs are common and may be adapted for use and sign off in all care settings.
They may be adapted by Superintendent Pharmacists for the use of the vaccine in Community Pharmacy settings.
Changes to needles in 2022
The needles that are supplied for reconstitution and preparation of syringes will change in early 2022.
Old needle sizes
The old needle sizes, which are included in our SOPs, use a 21 gauge needle for reconstitution and 23 gauge needles for preparation of syringes for administration.
New needle sizes
In early 2022, UKHSA will be providing 23 gauge needles for reconstitution and 25 gauge needles for preparation of syringes.
Timelines and action
The change will be gradual: some vaccination centres will receive the new syringes and needles before our SOPs are updated; others will continue to stock the previous syringes and needles after the SOPs have been updated.
Vaccination centres do not need to take any specific action. They should continue to use the needles and syringes provided by UKHSA, using original stock first.
Attachments
Other handling content for PCNs
Other COVID-19 vaccines resources
- Information and guidance common across vaccines
- Information and guidance specific to COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech
- Information and guidance specific to COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca
- Information and guidance specific to COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna