Services Database The Influenza Immunisation in Community Pharmacies for Eligible Local Authority Staff/ Contractors Within the County of Dorset 2014-15

The service is needs led to target increase the uptake of the influenza vaccination who work with vulnerable / at risk clients. This is to reduce the serious morbidity and mortality of influenza by immunising those who care for individual who are most likely to have a serious or complicated illness should they develop influenza.

The influenza vaccine will be administered under a locally agreed or private Patient Group Direction (PGD) on the registered pharmacy premises by a suitably trained pharmacist to eligible local authority employees or employees of providers contracted by either Bournemouth Borough Council; Borough of Poole; or Dorset County Council via a voucher scheme.

Individuals who are eligible to access this service are staff who present to the pharmacy with a voucher and ID badge have been identified by their employer /commissioner as appropriate to receive the vaccine because they have a duty of care to protect their patients and service users from influenza infection. These are staff for whom their work involves contact with individuals or clients who may fall into “at risk” groups:

• Chronic respiratory disease;

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);

• Chronic heart disease;

• Chronic kidney disease;

• Chronic liver disease;

• Chronic neurological disease;

• Diabetes; or

• Immunosuppressant.

Any pharmacist who was involved in administering a vaccine must have successfully completed a training course that met the requirements of the National Minimum Standards for Immunisation Training (published by the Health Protection Agency).

The pharmacist must have also have completed and passed a recognised Basic Life Support (BLS) training course in the past 12 months, or approved update training. BLS training must be updated every 3 years; this can be face to face or via e-learning.

In addition, pharmacists should have maintained clinical knowledge appropriate to their practice by attending relevant study days, courses and making themselves aware of appropriate literature.