South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Screening and Immunisation Team Communications
15th December 2014
Seasonal Flu Update – for information
Report on maternal deaths related to flu
Flu continues to present a fatal risk to pregnant women. A new report shows that it is
the cause of one in every 11 deaths during or shortly after pregnancy.
Public Health England (PHE) is urging more pregnant women to come forward for
the free flu vaccination this winter. The report and related information can be found
at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/report-reveals-36-women-died-from-flu-in-3years
Advice for healthcare workers on vaccinating pregnant women to prevent serious
illness from flu:
Pregnant women and their unborn children are at particularly high risk of morbidity and
mortality from influenza infection, even if healthy prior to infection.1 Flu can cause
maternal intensive care admission, preterm labour, low birth weight and other problems
for mother and baby. Public Health England and the World Health Organization
therefore recommend annual influenza vaccination for all pregnant women.2, 3 However,
less than 40% of pregnant women in the UK were vaccinated last year. The information
is available via the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/385829/In
fluenza_vaccination_in_pregnancy_guidance_for_healthcare_professionals.pdf
Children’s flu vaccination programme – fluenz and porcine gelatin: updated
information available via the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/38684
2/2902998_PHE_FluPorcine_QAforParents_FINAL_CT.pdf
Cervical Sample Taker Training – For information
Please note that Cervical Sample Taker training e-learning has been updated to
include;
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

HPV Triage and Test of Cure in more detail
ABC3 terminology
Updated graphics
Version 2.0 has now been applied to the QA website.
http://www.nwyhelearning.nhs.uk/elearning/yorksandhumber/shared/cervic
al_sample_taker/Preview/index.html
PHE Updates- For Information:
Information on the use of Off License Vaccines
Children and adults are sometimes offered off-label vaccines (vaccines authorised
for use but being used in a way that is slightly different from the terms laid down in its
license). Two leaflets have been produced, one for parents and one for health
professionals, describing the circumstances that can lead to vaccines being used
‘off-label’ and why this may be recommended (including vaccines involved in cold
chain incidents). The leaflets are available via the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/off-label-vaccine-leaflets
Leaflet for parents – vaccines stored outside of the recommended temperature
range:
It is recommended that vaccines are kept cool at all stages of their production,
distribution and storage, also known as ‘cold chain’. Sometimes this ‘cold chain’ is
interrupted and the vaccines may get warmer or colder than recommended.
Not all vaccines that have fallen outside the recommended storage temperature
need be destroyed. This leaflet describes what to do in the event of such an
occurrence. The leaflet can be accessed via the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vaccines-stored-outside-therecommended-temperature-range-leaflet
PGDs
The following PGD: Inactivated flu v2.1 was issued via email on 16.12.14. The email
was sent predominantly to practice managers for action. The PGD is only applicable
to practices using Fluarix (Trivalent) which was omitted in the Green Book in the list
of vaccines/suppliers. If you are not using this vaccine you can/should continue with
the existing PGD issued in September.
Coordinator Contact Details (until the16th January 2015)
Geographical Area
Name
Barnsley
Tracey Turner
Bassetlaw
Tracey Turner
Doncaster
Bel O’Leary
Rotherham
Bel O’Leary
Sheffield
Sarah Mayfield
Phil Kitching
Contact Number
0113 82 53475
0113 82 53475
0113 82 53354
0113 82 53354
0113 82 53462
0113 82 53446
Email: england.sybsit@nhs.net – this email address is monitored continually and
your query will be forwarded to the most appropriate person.