Childhood Flu; who is providing the Vaccination in Somerset
Who is providing the vaccination for children?
The vaccination process for 2, 3 and 4 year olds remains the same as last year and is entirely GP based. Practices should be operating a call/recall model and encouraging these children to receive vaccinations.
Across the South West we have a mixed model of delivery for 5 and 6 year olds (school years 1 and 2). For Somerset and North Somerset this will be delivered in schools by the Somerset Partnership community team. All 5 and 6 year olds who attend a school in Somerset and North Somerset should be offered their flu vaccination in a school setting. Please see summary table below.
| Cohort | GP Practice Role | Somerset Partnership Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2,3 and 4 Year Olds | Call/Recall and claim via CQRS for Vaccination and Administration | N/A |
| 5 and 6 Year Olds NOT in a risk group | Do not call, if children present assess and provide appropriate vaccination, record on patient record and claim via manual claim form | Call, assess and vaccinate, transfer information to GP |
| 5 and 6 years olds in a risk group | Call/recall and claim via CQRS for vaccinations administered | Call, assess and vaccinate, transfer information to GP and refer to GP if required |
| 5 and 6 year olds where Fluenz | Do not call, if children present |
Call, assess and vaccinate,
|
How will the school aged programme work?
All 5 and 6 year olds will be invited to attend a vaccination session at their school.
How will we be informed when school aged children are vaccinated?
The details of children vaccinated in a school based programme will be returned to the GP practice. Practices should ensure that the child’s record is updated appropriately i.e. that the vaccine has been given by another provider and an appropriate READ code used.
Do we need to call/recall any school aged children?
All children in a risk group should be called and recalled by the GP practice. It is important that flu vaccine is promoted and offered to this group at every opportunity. If vaccination is administered in the practice the record should be recoded on the system with an appropriate READ code. The payment for this will be via CQRS as usual.
Other than those in a risk group, are there any other 5 and 6 year olds we should vaccinate?
There are a small number of children who may approach your practice for vaccinations who live in Somerset or North Somerset but attend a school outside of the area. These children may not be offered vaccinations through their school so we are now asking that these children are vaccinated in your practice should they present. There are also a small number of children who should be vaccinated because they have been referred by the school provider.
Will we be paid if we vaccinate any school aged children who are not in a risk group?
Yes. Previously there was no mechanism for claiming for this group but the manual claim form has now been amended to include flu vaccination claims for 5 and 6 year olds who are not in a risk group. Claims should therefore be made through the normal manual claim form process.
