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As a result of the A(H1N1) influenza pandemic (external link), all four UK nations have agreed to deliver a vaccination programme to protect against the virus.

This section contains materials to support professionals in undertaking this vaccination programme. Please refer to the revised Green Book Chapter below for the latest advice on vaccine dosage and schedule.

NOTE: For public facing information and materials, please visit the Scottish Government swine flu web pages (external link).

Professional materials

H1N1 Information Sheet and Key Facts
The Information Sheet describes the disease and how it spreads. It also describes the vaccines including how they are produced, the rationale for making some groups of people a priority for vaccination, their effectiveness and the possible side effects they may have.

> Download H1N1 Information Sheet

The Key Facts document is a one-page sheet highlighting the main facts as currently known.

> Download H1N1 Key Facts

Training slides
Developed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES), these materials have been created to update immunisers on the current evidence and practice around vaccinating individuals to protect them against H1N1(v). To download the most up-to-date version, please visit the NHS Education for Scotland website (external link).

Preparing & Administering Swine Flu Vaccines video

This 6-minute video explains the make-up of the different vaccines, Pandemrix (GSK) and Celvapan (Baxter), and how these should be administered as part of the vaccination process.

The video illustrates how to prepare the swine flu vaccines for adults, and complements existing vaccination training.

> Watch video

A slideset is also available to support the video:

> Download slideset (short version)

To answer some of the questions raised by those involved in the vaccination programme, here is a practical guide on the preparation and administration of the H1N1 vaccines and guidance on bung management.

> Download preparation and administration guide

> Download bung management guidance

Green Book chapter

Provides information on vaccine makeup, contraindications and potential side effects as well as detail about reporting adverse incidents.

> Download Green Book chapter

Following changes on dosage, an updated table for the Green Book chapter has been developed. This is still to be incorporated into the chapter itself. In the meantime, here is the link for this table:

> Download updated table

Patient Group Directions for Pandemrix® and Celvapan®

To support local service delivery, national Patient Group Directions (PGD) for Pandemrix and Celvapan have been developed and signed off by Martin Donaghy, Medical Director, Health Protection Scotland, and William Malcolm, Pharmacist, Health Protection Scotland, therefore meeting the legal requirement that the PGD must be signed by a doctor and a pharmacist. NHS Boards will need to review and approve this in line with local clinical governance arrangements for PGDs. Following latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and the update on the dose schedule for immunisation with Pandemrix, a revised PGD has been developed and is accessible below. The PGD for Celvapan remains the same.

> Download PGD Pandemrix

> Download PGD Celvapan

Interim Guidance on a H1N1(V) Vaccine and Immunosuppression
Interim clinical guidance has been produced to support frontline staff and NHS Board planners to answer questions on the use of of influenza A H1N1(v) vaccine in individuals taking medicines that suppress the immune system. This guidance only applies to the use of Influenza A H1N1(v) vaccine and not to seasonal influenza vaccine or vaccines more generally in the context of immunosuppression.

> Download Interim Guidance on a H1N1(V) Vaccine and Immunosuppression

Consent forms
Members of the health and social care workforce receiving the H1N1 vaccination in Occupational Health need to give their consent to transfer their vaccination details to their own general practitioner. There are consent forms for the Pandemrix vaccine and Celvapan vaccine, as well as for those staff who may also be in the immunocompromised group.

> Download Pandemrix vaccine consent form
> Download Pandemrix vaccine consent form (immunocompromised group)
> Download Celvapan vaccine consent form

Q&As for staff

A series of questions and answers for staff working in primary care, occupational health and maternity services are available below:

> Download Q&A for primary care staff
> Download updated Information for GP Practices appendix
> Download Q&A for occupational health staff
> Download Q&A for maternity services staff

H1N1 vaccination and pregnancy

To access papers highlighting issues around pregnancy and the vaccination programme, download H1N1 Vaccination and Pregnancy - List of papers and available resources.

The Swine Flu and Pregnancy leaflet: How to Protect Yourself and Your Baby provides answers to some of the main questions posed by women.

Download interim guidelines on the clinical management of pregnant women with influenza like illness, severe influenza and complications. These are intended only for use during the A H1N1(v) 2009 pandemic.

Patient Information Leaflets
The Patient Information Leaflet (PILs) are currently being printed and will shortly be distributed to Vaccine Holding Centres. The PILs will then be distributed to NHS Boards and GPs along with the vaccine. In the interim, PILs should be downloaded from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency website (external link). Health Boards and GPs should ensure they have an adequate supply to cover the number of vaccines they administer.

Last reviewed 29 January 2010