Men C/Men W Vaccinations programme
Following a JCVI recommendation to vaccinate against MenW, NHS England has made provisions in the MenC freshers programme to accommodate a change of vaccine from MenC to MenACWY mid-year.
To ensure the freshers receive the most effective vaccine and avoid the need to recall them at a later date, PHE and NHS England are requesting a delayed start to the delivery of the MenC freshers programme until the new MenACWY vaccine is available. This decision is based purely on clinical grounds to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate vaccine. This delay will not change the agreed terms of the freshers programme or have any impact on the payment practices receive once the programme commences.
Public Health England asks GPs not to start MenC Freshers programme because of the current MenW outbreak
Following a rapid increase in meningococcal group W (MenW) disease in England, the JCVI recommended an emergency programme to vaccinate all 14-18 years-olds (school years 10-13) with a quadrivalent MenACWY conjugate vaccine to provide direct and herd protection to the whole population.
PHE is urgently trying to procure sufficient MenACWY vaccine to vaccinate those currently in Year 13 the summer. Therefore, PHE is asking GPs to delay the current MenC Freshers programme due to start in April until the MenACWY vaccine becomes available. This will avoid the need to revaccinate this group to provide additional protection against MenW.
SPEC link: http://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2015/03/men-c-freshers-serv-spec.pdf
