Patient Group Direction (PGD) for the administration of hepatitis A vaccination

1. Clinical condition or situation to which the direction applies

Indication

• Active immunisation against infections caused by hepatitis A virus.

Objectives of care

• To reduce the incidence of hepatitis A infection for those individuals who are at high risk

of exposure to hepatitis A virus.

Inclusion criteria

• Valid consent has been obtained from the patient/carer who does not want to consult with their GP and would prefer to access vaccination from the PGD user.

  Individuals from 1 year of age (N.B. product specific age indications must be followed) at risk of hepatitis A, including:

• Travellers visiting areas of medium or high endemicity, especially if sanitation and food hygiene are likely to be poor, who have not previously completed a course of hepatitis A vaccination.

• Patients originating from areas with high hepatitis A endemicity (adoptees, immigrants and refugees).

• Men who have sex with men and whose sexual behaviour is likely to put them at risk (offer advice recommending that a hepatitis B vaccination may also be required).

• Patients for whom hepatitis A is an occupational hazard or for whom there is an increased risk of transmission. This includes, but not limited to, the following:

̵ Laboratory workers

̵ Employees in residential institutions and day-care facilities

̵ Nursing personnel

̵ Medical and paramedical personnel in hospitals and institutions

̵ Sewage workers

̵ Food packagers or handlers

Exclusion criteria

(Refer to current and relevant

• Patients for whom no valid consent has been received.

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) or to any of the excipients or trace residuals

SPC (Great Britain or

in the selected hepatitis vaccine. See section 2 and 6.1 of the relevant Summary of

Northern Ireland) and online

Green Book guidance for additional details)

Product Characteristics (SPC).

• Hypersensitivity following a previous injection of this vaccine.

• Hypersensitivity to neomycin.

• Hypersensitivity to formaldehyde (Avaxim® and VAQTA® paediatric and adult only).

• Severe allergy to latex (VAQTA® paediatric and adult only).

• Individuals under 1 year of age (N.B. product specific age exclusions must be followed –

see description of treatment).

• Acute febrile illness/conditions – postpone administration until completely recovered.

• Has an evolving neurological condition. (With an evolving neurological condition,

immunisation should be deferred until the neurological condition has resolved or

stabilised).

• Patients that have phenylketonuria (PKU).

• Hepatitis A infection is suspected.

1. Clinical condition or situation to which the direction applies – continued

Cautions

(including any relevant action to be taken)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Vaccines can be administered during pregnancy or breastfeeding where there is a high risk of infection, and the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks (1). It is recommended that the appropriate healthcare professional (e.g. GP, midwife) is consulted prior to injection.

  Bleeding disorders

• Hepatitis A vaccines should be given with caution to patients with thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder (including those taking anticoagulants) since bleeding may occur following intramuscular (IM) administration to these patients (2) (3) (4) (5) (6). It is recommended that the appropriate healthcare professional (e.g. GP) is consulted prior to injection, to determine if IM injection is suitable and if vaccination should be scheduled shortly after the patient receives their medication/treatment to reduce bleeding. If the vaccine is offered, the patient/carer should be informed about the risk of bleeding from the injection.

• Patients on stable anticoagulation therapy, including patients on warfarin who are up- to-date with their scheduled International Normalised Ratio (INR) testing and whose latest INR was below the upper threshold of their therapeutic range, can receive IM vaccination. If in any doubt, the clinician responsible for prescribing or monitoring the patient’s anticoagulant therapy should be consulted prior to injection (7).

• The vaccine may alternatively be administered by the subcutaneous (SC) route to individuals with bleeding disorders (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (N.B. There is a lack of evidence that SC injection is any safer than IM injection in individuals taking anticoagulants, and injection by this route is more likely to cause local reactions) (8). Healthcare professionals who are not professionally competent to perform SC injections should refer the individual(s) to a

suitable alternative provider.

1. Clinical condition or situation to which the direction applies – continued

Cautions

(including any relevant action to be taken)

Syncope

• Syncope (fainting) can occur following, or even before, any vaccination as a psychogenic response to the needle injection. This can be accompanied by several neurological signs such as transient visual disturbance, paraesthesia and tonic-clonic limb movements during recovery. It is important that procedures are in place to avoid injury from faints

  (9).

  Protection against hepatitis

• Vaccination does not provide protection against infection caused by hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis E virus or by other liver pathogens (6). Furthermore, vaccination may not result in protection in all cases, so patients must be given further advice regarding hepatitis A transmission and its prevention (2) (6) (3).

  Liver disease

• As no studies have been performed with Avaxim® in subjects with liver disease, the use of this vaccine in such subjects should be considered with care.

  Individuals in the incubation period of a hepatitis A infection

• Due to the long incubation period (approximately 20 to 50 days) for hepatitis A (2) (3), it is possible for unrecognised hepatitis A infection to be present at the time the vaccine is given. The effect of vaccination during the hepatitis A incubation period has not been documented, and vaccine may not prevent hepatitis A in such individuals (2) (3) (4) (5) (6). Refer to healthcare professional if a hepatitis A infection is suspected. Immunosuppressed patients

• Patients that are immunosuppressed due to disease or treatment, including asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen, or HIV infection (regardless of CD4 count), may not produce a sufficient protective antibody response following vaccination (1).

• Specialist advice may be required - see the Green Book chapters 6 & 7:

  ̵ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/contraindications-and-special- considerations-the-green-book-chapter-6

  ̵ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/immunisation-of-individuals- with-underlying-medical-conditions-the-green-book-chapter-7

  Other considerations

• For patients with other health conditions, the risks and benefits of vaccination must be weighed on an individual basis. Refer to appropriate healthcare professional. Healthcare professionals must not delegate their responsibility and they have the right to refuse vaccination to eligible patients based on their own clinical judgement. Where there is doubt, vaccination should not be initiated until the patient has sought advice

from the appropriate healthcare professional.

1. Clinical condition or situation to which the direction applies – continued

Product interactions

• Prior to administration and where indicated, medication that the patient is using should be checked for product interactions using the British National Formulary (BNF) and SPC. This includes checking that the patient’s medication does not suggest conditions that are excluded from vaccination under this PGD.

• Hepatitis vaccines must not be mixed with other vaccines in the same syringe.

Action if patient is excluded from the service

• The risk to the patient of not being vaccinated must be considered.

• If administration is postponed, arrange a future date for vaccination as appropriate.

• Discuss with patient and document the reasons for exclusion from vaccination under the PGD.

• If the patient has consented, refer them to their GP and/or inform their GP.

• Signpost to other services if appropriate.

• Refer patient back to employer’s occupational health service if appropriate.

• Give travellers appropriate food, water and personal hygiene advice.

• If required, pregnant and breastfeeding patients should be signposted to other appropriate healthcare professionals.

Action if patient declines the service

• Ensure patient/carer fully understands the risks of declining vaccination.

• Advise the patient/carer about the protective effects of the vaccine.

• Explain NHS eligibility for vaccination where appropriate.

• Reschedule vaccination if appropriate.

• Document the reasons for declining vaccination and any action taken, including advice given to the patient in their medication record.

• Give travellers appropriate food, water and personal hygiene advice.

2. Description of vaccine

Name, strength & formulation of drug

Supplier

Name of

product

Composition

Pharmaceutical form

Excipient(s) with

known effect

Age indications

Sanofi Pasteur

Avaxim®

Hepatitis A virus, GBM strain (inactivated, adsorbed)

Suspension for injection in a pre- filled syringe

• Ethanol anhydrous

• Phenylalanine

16 years and above

GlaxoSmithKline UK

Havrix Monodose®

Hepatitis A virus

(inactivated, adsorbed)

Suspension for injection

- Phenylalanine

16 years and above

Havrix Junior Monodose®

Hepatitis A virus (inactivated,

adsorbed)

Suspension for injection

- Phenylalanine

1-15 years

Hepatitis A virus

Suspension for injection in a prefilled syringe or via

• Sodium borate

• Sodium chloride

• Water for injections

VAQTA® Adult

(strain CR 326F)

(inactivated,

18 years and above

Merck Sharp &

adsorbed)

Dohme (UK)

Suspension for injection in a prefilled syringe or via

• Sodium borate

• Sodium chloride

• Water for injections

Limited

Hepatitis A virus

VAQTA®

Paediatric

(strain CR 326F)

(inactivated,

1-17 years

adsorbed)

• For information on vaccine compositions, including the list of excipients, see the product SPC.

Legal status

• POM – Prescription Only Medicine

Dose/dose range

• Avaxim: 0.5mL

• Havrix Junior Monodose: 0.5mL

• Havrix Monodose: 1.0mL

• VAQTA® Adult: 1.0mL

• VAQTA® Paediatric: 0.5mL

Use of PGD outside terms of SPC

• This PGD covers vaccination in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Please note that Northern Ireland may have a separate SPC from Great Britain and guidance may differ. Please refer to the relevant SPC for more information.

• Although healthcare professionals have the right to refuse vaccination even where a

patient is eligible, they cannot override PGD exclusions.

2. Description of vaccine– continued

Route/method of administration

• The vaccine should be inspected for any foreign particulate matter and /or for any variation of physical aspect prior to administration. If either is observed the vaccine should not be administered (2) (3) (4) (5) (6).

• For IM injection. The vaccine must not be injected intravenously or intradermally and must not be mixed with other vaccines in the same syringe (2) (3) (4) (5) (6).

• For patients with bleeding disorders, a fine needle (equal to 23 gauge or finer calibre) should be used for the vaccination, followed by firm pressure applied to the site (without rubbing) for at least 2 minutes. Alternatively, vaccination can be given by SC injection to reduce risk of bleeding (see cautions).

• The preferred site of injection is the deltoid muscle of the upper arm (2) (3) (4) (5) (6).

• In children 12 months through to 35 months, the preferred sites for IM injection are the anterolateral aspect of the thigh (if suitably trained), or the deltoid muscle if muscle mass is adequate (10).

• Where two or more injections need to be administered at the same time, they should be

given at separate sites, preferably in different limbs. If more than one injection is to be given in the same limb, they should be administered at least 2.5cm apart (10).

Frequency of administration

• Initial protection is achieved from a single dose (2) (3) (4) (5) (6).

• A second dose (booster dose) should be given between 6 and 12 months after the primary dose (2) (3) (4) (5) (6).

Follow up / minimum or maximum period

• The second dose is preferably given between 6 and 12 months, though a booster dose within 36 months can develop similar antibody levels to subjects given a booster within the recommended time period (6) (4) (5).

• As studies have shown that successful boosting can occur even when the second dose is delayed for several years, it is unnecessary to restart the primary vaccination schedule if the booster is administered within 5 years of the primary dose (4).

• Where more than 5 years has passed since the first hepatitis A dose, the vaccine schedule may be restarted, or a single booster administered based on pharmacist

discretion.

3. Further aspects of vaccination

Adverse reactions and their management

• Follow local SOP on adverse reactions and their management.

• Very common side effects include (≥1/10): Pain and redness at the injection site and headache (4).

• Common side effects include (≥1/100 to <1/10): Appetite loss, gastrointestinal symptoms, nausea, diarrhoea, fever and malaise (4).

• Uncommon side effects include (≥1/1,000 to <1/100): Upper respiratory tract infection, rhinitis, dizziness, vomiting, myalgia, musculoskeletal stiffness and influenza like illness

  (4).

• Rare side effects include (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000): Hypoaesthesia, paraesthesia, pruritus and chills (4).

• Frequency not known: Anaphylaxis, allergic reactions including anaphylactoid reactions and mimicking serum sickness, convulsions, Guillain Barre Syndrome, transverse myelitis, neuralgic amyotrophy, vasculitis, transient increase in liver function tests, angioneurotic oedema, erythema multiforme, urticaria and arthralgia (4).

• Emergency equipment must be available including immediate access to epinephrine (adrenaline) 1:1000 for IM injection. Please refer to resuscitation council guidelines.

• Healthcare professionals should confirm with patients that they are fit to leave the premises after a period of observation. Patients should not leave if they are feeling at all unwell without speaking to the healthcare professional.

• The onset of anaphylaxis is rapid, typically within minutes, and its clinical course is unpredictable with variable severity and clinical features. Due to the unpredictable nature of anaphylactic reactions, it is not possible to define a particular time period over which all patients should be observed following immunisation to ensure they do not develop anaphylaxis.

• In the event that the patient exhibits signs of anaphylaxis after injection, healthcare professionals must seek urgent medical attention.

• Advise the patient to consult their GP if there is a severe local reaction at the injection site, if they have a fever or if any other serious symptoms develop.

• For a comprehensive list of all warnings, cautions and potential adverse reactions, refer

to the current BNF, current and relevant SPCs (Great Britain or Northern Ireland) and the Green Book - Immunisation against infectious disease.

Reporting procedure of adverse reactions

• Report to GP if appropriate & document in patient’s medication records.

• Follow local SOP for reporting of adverse events.

• All suspected adverse reactions must be reported via the Yellow Card scheme to the MHRA or on the website at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

• An adverse reaction should be reported even if it is not certain that the medicine has caused it, if it is well recognised, or if other drugs were given at the same time.

• Further information is available online from https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/

3. Further aspects of vaccination – continued

Advice to patient / carer

Vaccine protection

• Explain protection level expected from vaccine. Advise patients that not all those who receive the vaccine will be fully protected, and the vaccine only protects against infections for which it has been developed.

  Patient information

• Provide a patient information leaflet and discuss as required.

• Provide advice on and explain potential warnings.

• Advise on possible side effects and their management. If the symptoms do not resolve and/or the patient experiences other severe symptoms, they should be advised to contact their GP, NHS 111 or visit A&E.

• The parent/carer should be advised that if pyrexia develops after childhood immunisation, and the infant seems distressed, paracetamol can be given. Ibuprofen can be used if paracetamol is unsuitable. The parent should be warned to seek medical advice if the pyrexia persists.

  Vaccine record

• Provide patient with a record of vaccination.

  Travellers

• Advise individuals to take care with food, water and personal hygiene, especially in areas with poor sanitation and food hygiene.

• Advise the patients of activities that put them at increased risk of hepatitis A infection.

Records to be kept

• In all cases manual records including any risk assessment forms or computerised records should include:

  ̵ Patient’s name, address and date of birth;

  ̵ Name of immuniser;

  ̵ Dose, site and route of injection;

  ̵ Date of administration;

  ̵ Brand name, batch number & expiry date of vaccine;

  ̵ Confirmation that there are no contraindications; that side effects have been discussed; support literature given (if applicable) and any other advice given;

  ̵ That valid informed consent was given prior to administration;

  ̵ Details of any adverse reactions and actions taken;

  ̵ Signature and printed name and designation (in black ink) for paper records. For computer records, ensure data authentication of practitioner delivering care.

• GP may be notified if the patient has consented for personalised information to be shared.

• Pharmacy/clinic records should be stored in line with relevant legislation and local

policies. Generally, records should be kept for 8 years in adults and until 25 years of age in children.

3. Further aspects of vaccination – continued

Additional facilities / requirements

• Policies and procedures must be in place for providing a private vaccination service including cold chain management, sharps disposal, needlestick injury, consent, record keeping and training requirements.

• Pharmaceutical refrigerator (or validated cool box for storing vaccines if running an

  “offsite” clinic).

• Resuscitation kit, including immediate access to 1:1000 epinephrine (adrenaline).

• Access to medical support (this may be via telephone).

  Disposal - equipment used for vaccination, including used vials or ampoules, should be disposed of at the end of a session by sealing in a proper, appropriately sized puncture- resistant ‘sharps’ box (UN-approved, BS 320).

  PGD users must:

• Be familiar with and have online access to the latest edition of the Green Book, noting that clinical guidance may change and that the Green Book is frequently updated.

• Be aware of current clinical recommendations and be able to undertake administration (where applicable) and discuss any issues that may arise.

• Have been trained and assessed as being competent in the delivery of this medicine covered by this PGD.

• Maintain their skills, knowledge and professional level of competence in this area according to their individual code of professional conduct.

• Possess appropriate professional indemnity.

• Agree to work within the terms of the implementing PGD.

• Be aware of medicine handling, storage and administration guidelines.

• Regularly check BNF/BNFC / Green Book for contraindications, cautions and interactions. The superintendent/clinical lead of the implementing pharmacy/clinic will be responsible for:

• Providing adequate up-to-date clinical resources.

• Ensuring that staff using the PGD, have access to up-to-date resources.

• Ensuring that staff have received adequate training in all areas relevant to this PGD.

  Requirements for Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

• All staff involved in the implementation of this PGD should participate in adequate and appropriate Continual Professional Development to ensure procedures follow the most up to date clinical guidance.

  Facilities and supplies to be available

• Consultations carried out under the authorisation of this PGD should be completed in a private space, physically closed off from interruption such as a pharmacy consultation room, in order to ensure patient confidentiality.

• The following should be available:

  1. Safe storage areas for medicines and equipment

  2. Clean and tidy clinical rooms that allow confidentiality and patient privacy

  3. Copies of the current PGD

  4. Access to a current BNF and Green Book

     Audit

• All health risk assessment, advice and medicine supply record forms should be stored in the pharmacy/clinic and will be audited by the implementing pharmacy/clinic in order to analyse service delivery. If the service is deemed insufficient, management staff, the superintendent/clinical lead and implementing healthcare professional will be informed

and an action plan drawn up to remedy the service.

3. Further aspects of vaccination – continued

Consent

• Prior to the administration and/or supply of a medicine, consent must be obtained, preferably written, from the patient, and documented either in the patient’s medical records/notes or on an administration form.

  The key points include:

• If a patient’s fitness and suitability cannot be established, supply should be deferred.

• There is no legal requirement for consent to be in writing but written consent serves to record the decision and the discussions that have taken place.

• Consent - either written or verbal - is required at the time of each supply.

• Consent remains valid unless the patient who gave it withdraws it. If there is new information between the time consent was given and when the supply is offered, including new evidence of risk, new medicines becoming available or where there is a significant change in the patient’s condition, it may be necessary for the patient to reconfirm their consent.

• Written and verbal information should be available in a form that can be easily understood by the person who will be giving the consent. Where English is not easily understood, translations and properly recognised interpreters should be used in order that they can make informed consent.

• The attendance of a patient for the supply/administration of treatment after an invitation to attend for this purpose may be viewed as acceptance that the patient may have the treatment/administration.

• Patients should also be informed about how data on the supply will be stored, who will be able to access that information and how that data may be used.

• Where consent is either refused or withdrawn, this decision must be documented.

• Consent obtained before the occasion upon which a patient attends for the

supply/administration is only an agreement for the patient to be included in this instance and does not mean that consent is in place for each future supply/administration.

4. References & Resources

For a comprehensive list of all warnings, cautions and potential adverse reactions, refer to the current BNF and SPCs.

References

1. Chapter 7; Immunisation of individuals with underlying medical conditions. The Green Book. [Online] 07 February 2022. [Cited: 08 April 2022.] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/857279/Greenbook_chapter_7_I mmunsing_immunosupressed.pdf.

2. Summary of Product Characteristics; VAQTA Adult, suspension for injection. emc (Great Britain). [Online] 11 February 2021. [Cited: 08 April 2022.] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1396.

3. Summary of Product Characteristics; VAQTA Paediatric, suspension for injection. emc (Great Britain). [Online] 11 February 2021. [Cited: 08 April 2022.] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1397.

4. Summary of Product Characteristics; Havrix Monodose Vaccine. emc (Great Britain). [Online] 17 January 2022. [Cited: 08 April 2022.] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1158.

5. Summary of Product Characteristics; Havrix Junior Monodose Vaccine. emc (Great Britain). [Online] 17 January 2022. [Cited: 08 April 2022.] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1157.

6. Summary of Product Characteristics; AVAXIM suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe. emc (Great Britain). [Online] 20 January 2022. [Cited: 08 April 2022.] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1394.

7. Chapter 14a; COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2. The Green Book. [Online] 28 February 2022. [Cited: 08 April 2022.] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1057798/Greenbook-chapter-14a- 28Feb22.pdf.

8. Chapter 19; Influenza. The Green Book. [Online] October 2020. [Cited: 08 April 2022.] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/931139/Green_book_chapter_19_ influenza_V7_OCT_2020.pdf.

9. Chapter 8: Vaccine safety and the management of adverse events following immunisation. The Green Book. [Online] August 2012. [Cited: 08 April 2022.] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/147868/Green-Book-Chapter-8- v4_0.pdf.

10. Chapter 4; Immunisation procedures. The Green Book. [Online] June 2021. [Cited: 11 April 2022.] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/147915/Green-Book-Chapter- 4.pdf.

Additional resources

1. Chapter 17; Hepatitis A. The Green Book. [Online] February 7, 2022. [Cited: April 11, 2022.] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1053507/Greenbook - chapter-17-7Feb22.pdf.

2. Chapter 6; Contraindications and special considerations. The Green Book. [Online] August 2017. [Cited: April 11, 2022 .] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/655225/Greenbook_chapte r_6.pdf.

3. Patient Group Direction; Medicines practice guideline [MPG2]. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. [Online] March 27, 2017. [Cited: February 11, 2022.] https://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/MPG2.

4. Competency framework for health professionals using Patient Group Directions. National Institute for Health and Care

Excellence. [Online] January 4, 2018. [Cited: February 11, 2022.] https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mpg2/resources.