With recent measles outbreaks, a temporary but significant opportunity has opened for GP practices – one that supports both patient safety and stronger CQC compliance.
From 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026, GP practices can administer MMR vaccinations to eligible staff registered at another practice under Immediately Necessary Treatment (INT) arrangements.
This isn’t just a clinical update, it’s a chance to address a compliance gap that frequently appears during inspections.
What’s Changed?
Under this temporary arrangement:
- Practices can vaccinate staff not registered with them
- No item of service fee can be claimed
- CNSGP indemnity cover applies
- Nationally supplied MMR stock can be used
- Staff should inform their registered GP so records can be updated
All doses must be:
- Given in line with the Green Book recommended intervals
- Completed by 30 September 2026
Why This Matters for CQC
Staff immunisation is a regular theme in CQC inspections, and it’s often an area where practices feel less confident than they should.
Common gaps include:
- No complete immunisation record for all staff
- Focus on clinical staff only
- Lack of clear oversight or system ownership
- Inability to provide clear assurance during inspection
CQC expectations are clear, you must be able to demonstrate that:
👉 Staff are protected against risks of infection, including vaccine-preventable diseases
This is reinforced in the official CQC Myth-buster:
A Rare Opportunity to Act
Ordinarily, managing staff MMR status involves:
- Occupational health referrals
- Additional cost and delays
- Fragmented or incomplete records
This temporary arrangement removes those barriers.
You now have a defined window to:
- Review all staff vaccination histories
- Identify MMR gaps quickly
- Administer vaccines in-house
- Strengthen your compliance position ahead of inspection
Don’t Make This Common Mistake
This applies to all staff, not just clinicians.
That includes:
- Reception and admin teams
- Care navigators
- Cleaning and support staff
If there is any risk of exposure within the practice, they should be considered.
This is one of the most common areas where practices fall short and where inspectors often ask follow-up questions.
Turning This Into Evidence
Giving the vaccine is only part of the story.
To achieve real assurance, you should:
- Maintain a central staff immunisation register
- Record known history and identified gaps
- Document vaccines given, batch numbers, and dates
- Capture consent and eligibility
- Ensure a process for follow-up doses
This is what allows you to confidently answer:
👉 “How do you know your staff are appropriately protected?”
Final Thought
This is a time-limited window to fix something that is often picked up reactively – under pressure, during inspection.
Instead, you can get ahead of it.
By September, you could have:
- A clear, complete staff immunisation overview
- Identified and addressed MMR gaps
- Strong, accessible evidence ready for CQC
And most importantly, a safer practice for your team and your patients.