Covid Vaccination Programme (CVP)
11th November 2020
To All Practices in Kent & Medway
Dear Colleague
COVID19 Vaccination Programme (CVP) Summary for Practices
As you will be aware, NHSE have published details of the CVP Enhanced Service (ES) this week. There are four key documents – a letter to GPs and CCGs; Annex A – indicative ES specification; Annex B – GP site designation process; a designated site form. They can be found on the NHSE website here and the BMA has also produced guidance which can be found on the BMA website here. It is important to note that the actual ES specification is not expected to be published until the end of November at the earliest and this is all dependant on the vaccine receiving MHRA approval. Also, this is optional and the LMC are here to support all practices whether or not you sign up to this ES.
We thought practices might appreciate a summary of the requirements and what we know about other local arrangements being planned to deliver the vaccination. Please bear in mind that this is the current expectation but subject to change once the vaccine/s are approved and the ES is published. The following are the key points:
- Practices are required to work together in “PCN groupings” with one designated site per grouping (unless covering >100,000 population) where the vaccination delivery will take place
- You do not have to be signed up to the PCN DES to participate but need to collaborate with PCN practices for the purpose of this ES
- Groupings must nominate a designated site by completing the form (link above) and sending to the CCG by Tuesday November 17th. This will need approval by the CCG and NHSE.
- Designated sites need to be able to provide the service 8am – 8pm, 7 days per week and bank holidays if required and comply with the specification in Annex B
- Vaccines will be delivered weekly in batches of 975 which need to be stored in a fridge at 2-8 degrees Celsius and likely to have a limited shelf life (YOU DO NOT NEED A FREEZER!)
- The vaccine will be in multi dose vials with needles, syringes and any diluents provided
- There will be a national call/recall system supplemented by local practice call/recall
- There will also be mass vaccination centres across the county being arranged by the CCG in conjunction with the armed forces and KCHFT
- Patients will be able to choose where to have their vaccination and there will be a national booking system that practices can sign up to if they wish
- A registered health care professional will need to counsel and gain informed consent from each patient before the vaccination
- Any trained staff can deliver the vaccination with supervision of a registered healthcare professional and online training will be available
- The patient will need to be monitored for 15 minutes post vaccination
- Payment will be £12.58 per vaccination, but only payable after the second dose has been administered i.e. £25.16 for 2 doses or £12.58 in exceptional circumstances if only one dose can be given
- Groupings will be able to immunise their own staff as well as any patient that is registered with any practice in the grouping and a data sharing agreement will be put in place
- Staff employed by a practice will be covered under the national indemnity scheme (CNSGP) for administering the vaccine
I hope this is useful and if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards
Donna Clarke
Practice Liaison Officer