COVID-19 and flu vaccinations
COVID-19 and flu vaccinations will be brought forward to 11 September, in line with the latest expert guidance on the new COVID-19 variant (BA.2.86).
Additional financial arrangements have also been introduced to support providers to deliver the vaccine (further details below).
The aim is for all eligible cohorts to be vaccinated by the end of October (ahead of the original deadline of early December).
Devon’s vaccinations team is contacting PCNs directly about sign-up arrangements. More than half of PCNs in Devon have already signed up.
Key dates
- From 11 September – vaccinations begin for care home resident and those who are housebound with the aim of vaccinating all of them by 22 October
- From 11 September – COVID-19 and flu vaccinations commence for those eligible via local booking systems, starting with those who are most at risk
- On 18 September – National Booking System opens for eligible people. National COVID-19 vaccination invitations will also start from 18 September.
There is no change to flu vaccination for children. It is essential that this begins early in September as previously communicated.
The eligible cohorts for flu and COVID-19 vaccination remain unchanged.
Financial support
In addition to the financial arrangements set out in the Autumn 2023 GP and CP enhanced service specifications, and Standard Contract schedules, interim arrangements to support programme acceleration will be put in place to recognise additional administrative, organisation and delivery costs.
Commissioned providers will now be eligible to claim:
- An additional acceleration payment of £10 (in addition to the IoS fee) for each COVID-19 vaccination administered to care home residents between Monday 11 September and Sunday 22 October 2023 inclusive; and
- A separate one-off additional payment of £200 for each completed care home by 23.59hrs on Sunday 22 October 2023 that is confirmed to the commissioner by the submission of a live time survey no later than 23.59hrs on Sunday 29 October 2023.
To support the acceleration of COVID-19 vaccinations to other eligible cohorts:
- An additional £5 acceleration payment (in addition to the IoS fee) will be made available for each COVID-19 vaccination administered to eligible people between 11 September and 31 October 2023 (excluding care home residents, housebound people, and any health and care worker vaccinations commissioned under the NHS Standard Contract).
The COVID-19 vaccination primary care service specifications and NHS Standard Contract schedules will be updated to reflect the financial arrangements outlined above in line with usual processes.
Questions and support
If you have any questions or would like support, please contact Devon’s vaccination team: d-icb.systemvoc@nhs.net.