Scope

Written Instructions for IM ‘flu vaccination administration are only for use for vaccination of employees as part of Occupational Health or peer to peer vaccination schemes.

For NHS vaccination of individuals within the national eligibility criteria for ‘flu vaccination please refer to the appropriate PGD/National Protocol for the service:

UKHSA Patient Group Direction for IM ‘flu vaccination

NHSE National Protocol for IM ‘flu vaccination

NHS Community Pharmacy Patient Group Direction for IM ‘flu vaccination 

Background

In 2022 a permanent amendment was made to Schedule 17 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to allow occupational health vaccinators working within an NHS body or a local authority operated occupational health scheme to administer influenza or coronavirus vaccines in accordance with a written instruction. An occupational health vaccinator is a listed professional (see below) who is employed or engaged by a person operating an occupational health scheme.

Independent and other organisations may use a written instruction administer influenza or coronavirus vaccines as part of an occupational health scheme but only registered nurses within these organisation can operate under a written instruction.

NHS body or Local Authority occupational health vaccinators

The following professions can acts as NHS body or Local Authority occupational health vaccinators:

• Registered nurses
• Registered midwives
• Registered nursing associates
• Operating department practitioners, paramedics or physiotherapists registered in Part 13, 8 or 9 of the Health and Care Professions Council register
• Pharmacists

Independent or other organisation staff groups

Within independent or other organisations, only registered nurses can administer named medicines under a written instruction.  Occupational health vaccinators cannot operate within non-NHS/local authority provided services.

Authorisation within organisations

Authorisation of written instructions within organisations requires the signature of an appropriate registered doctor before they can be used.

• The written instruction can be adopted by organisations following the signed authorisation of the written instruction by an appropriate doctor.
• This medical signatory must be the doctor assuming responsibility for the delivery of the influenza vaccination programme to staff within an organisation.
• This should be an Occupational Health Physician employed by the organisation but where there is no such doctor employed/contracted by the organisation it should be the doctor assuming responsibility for the delivery of the influenza vaccination programme to staff within the organisation (for example the organisation’s Medical Director).

Use within organisations

Once signed and adopted, the written instruction allows named registered healthcare professionals included in the legislation to administer the seasonal influenza vaccination to the organisation’s staff, including peer to peer vaccinators.  Vaccinators must be trained and competent to work in accordance with the written instruction.

Flu Written Instruction templates for adoption

There are two ‘flu written instruction templates below, developed by SPS, which organisations can adopt.

Ensure the correct template is chosen for the organisation type – one is for all NHS and Local Authority organisations, the other for all non-NHS/Local Authority organisations.

Template Written Instructions for 'flu vaccination 2023/24

• Written Instruction Template FINAL 23 24 NHSLA July 2023 · Word · 74 KB
• Written Instruction Template FINAL 23 24 NON NHSLA July 2023 · Word · 74 KB

Written Instruction supporting advice

A factsheet to support the use of the written instruction by organisations and additional advice which is specific to GP practices can be found below.

• WI factsheet 2023-24 · PDF · 245 KB
• GP practice staff flu vaccination advice May 2023 · PDF · 142 KB

PGDs within Occupational Health Services

Further advice on the use of PGDs within Occupational Health Services is available in a separate article.

• PGDs and Occupational Health Services

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