23 October 2009

Vaccination against pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 in the UK

The Department of Health (DH) has approved two licensed pandemic influenza (H1N1) vaccines for administration to persons in clinical priority groups in the United Kingdom [1-3].

The Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has defined the following risk groups in order of priority [3]:

• Individuals aged six months to 65 years in the seasonal flu vaccine at risk groups
• Pregnant women
• Household contacts of immunocompromised individuals
• People aged 65 and older in the seasonal flu vaccine at risk groups

In addition to these groups, front-line health and social care workers should also receive vaccine.

A national programme for vaccinating these individuals commenced on 21 October 2009. Vaccine will be provided by the DH to NHS providers [3].

Pandemic vaccines

Pandemrix® vaccine is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline UK and is licensed for use in adults and children from six months of age [3,4].

Celvapan® is manufactured by Baxter and is licensed for use in adults and the elderly [5].  There is no data available regarding the use of this vaccine in children and adolescents. Celvapan® can be used where Pandemrix® is contraindicated [5, 3].

Specific information regarding dose and vaccine schedules is provided by the DH and in the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for each product [3-6]. Pandemrix® and Celvapan® are ‘black triangle’ products and are monitored by the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA).

The SmPC for Pandemrix® and Celvapan® are available on the MHRA website.

Advice for travellers

Pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 vaccine is not recommended for travellers unless they are included in the clinical priority groups above.  Travellers undertaking Hajj during the 1430 (2009) season are required by The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia to provide proof of vaccination against seasonal influenza. Vaccination must have been received at least two weeks before acquiring a Hajj visa [7]. The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia also requires vaccination against pandemic influenza if the vaccine becomes universally available within the UK, however, they recognise that this will not apply within the UK for this year’s pilgrimage.  

Information on the risk of pandemic influenza in specific countries is available on the NaTHNaC Country Information Pages.

Information on pandemic influenza can be found on the NaTHNaC website.

References

1. European Medicines Agency. Press release. European Medicines Agency recommends authorisation of two vaccines for influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009. 25 September 2009. EMEA/602582/2009. [Accessed 23 October 2009]. Available at http://www.emea.europa.eu/pdfs/general/direct/pr/60258209

en.pdf

2. European Medicines Agency. Press release. European Medicines Agency recommends authorisation of additional vaccine for influenza pandemic (H1N1) 2009. 2 October 2009. EMEA/622908/2009. [Accessed 23 October 2009]. Available at http://www.emea.europa.eu/humandocs/PDFs/EPAR/

celvapan/62290809en.pdf

3. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) letter. Department of Health. The H1N1 swine flu vaccination programme 2009-2010. 15 October 2009. [Accessed 23 October 2009]. Available at http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digital

assets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_107190.pdf

4. Summary of Product Characteristics.  Pandemrix suspension and emulsion for emulsion for injection. GlaxoSmithKline. [Accessed 23 October 2009]. Available at:  http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Swinefluinformation

/index.htm

5. Summary of Product Characteristics. Celvapan. Baxter. [Accessed 23 October 2009]. Available at: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Swinefluinformation

/index.htm

6. Pandemic influenza A (H1N1)v 2009 (swine flu). Chapter 23a. In: Salisbury D, Ramsay M, Noakes K (eds). Immunisation against infectious disease 2006. The Stationary Office, London. Available at: http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digital

assets/@dh/@en/documents/digitalasset/dh_107408.pdf

7. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Hajj. MOH Health Regulations for 1430 H. [Accessed 23 October 2009]. Available at: http://www.hajinformation.com/main/xy2414.htm

Links

Health Protection Agency: Swine influenza [Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza]

NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet: Advice for pilgrims for the Hajj and Umrah season of 1430 (2009)

NaTHNaC: Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza (swine flu)