Introducing RSV Vaccination Programmes for Older Adults and Pregnant Women
Funding Concerns and Operational Impact
The announcement of two new RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccination programmes by NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised significant funding concerns among GP practices. This development comes just hours after Daniel Vincent, CEO of Enhanced Primary Care, flagged in the latest “Money Money Money” webinar that the recent changes in the 24/25 contract variations make participation in new immunisation programmes a contractual requirement. Vincent highlighted that this change risks imposing an unfunded workload on GP practices, as there does not appear to be a supporting item of service payment in the current statement. This means that the additional work required to deliver these new RSV vaccination programmes will essentially be unfunded.
New RSV Vaccination Programmes
- Older Adults:
- Eligibility: All adults aged 75 on or after 1 September 2024 will be eligible for the RSV vaccine. Additionally, there will be a catch-up campaign for those already aged 75-79.
- Delivery: The vaccinations will be administered via GP practices, ensuring broad coverage and accessibility for older adults.
- Pregnant Women:
- Eligibility: All pregnant women who are at least 28 weeks into their pregnancy will be eligible for the vaccine. This measure aims to protect infants from RSV by immunising mothers.
- Delivery: The vaccine will be delivered alongside antenatal maternity settings and via GP practices, either opportunistically or upon request.
Supporting the New Programmes
To help healthcare professionals prepare for these new programmes, two webinars will be held:
- Maternal RSV Programme for Infant Protection:
- Date and Time: 9 July 2024, 14:30 – 15:45
- Details: An introductory webinar for health professionals to understand the new immunisation programme for maternal RSV.
- Registration: Register to join here
- Adult RSV Programme:
- Date and Time: 12 July 2024, 14:30 – 15:45
- Details: An introductory webinar for health professionals about the new immunisation programme for adults.
- Registration: Register to join here
Conclusion
While the introduction of RSV vaccination programmes for older adults and pregnant women is a significant step forward in protecting vulnerable populations, the lack of clear funding mechanisms raises concerns about the sustainability of these initiatives for GP practices. It is crucial for NHS England to address these funding issues to ensure that GP practices can effectively deliver these vital vaccines without compromising their financial stability.
For more detailed information and to stay updated on these developments, healthcare professionals are encouraged to attend the upcoming webinars and review the official communication from NHS England and the UKHSA.