Various clinical resources have been published ahead of the COVID-19 Spring 2026 vaccination programme. The revised COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book is now available. Clinical teams should familiarise themselves with the updated information.
The Patient Group Direction (PGD) has been published. NHS England has provided central organisational authorisation for this PGD. For providers using a PGD model for service delivery, vaccinating teams should read, understand and be locally authorised to use the document (completing the self-declaration and local manager countersignature in Section 7) prior to vaccinating.
An equivalent Vaccine Group Direction (VGD) is expected to be published on 1 April 2026 at the same webpage, subject to parliamentary process. This new legal mechanism will enable some elements of vaccination activity to be delegated. PGDs do not allow for delegation. NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service have published guidance to support teams in Understanding Vaccine Group Directions (VGDs) – NHS SPS – Specialist Pharmacy Service – The first stop for professional medicines advice
All authorised VGDs will be added to our website when available: NHS England — East of England » Patient Group Directions
Also, on 31 March and 1 April 2026 a number of amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations (HMR) 2012 will come into force, subject to parliamentary process. These amendments are being introduced to support and improve vaccine deployment and supply across the UK. To help healthcare teams to understand these changes, NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) has published a video presentation. In this video expert speakers from SPS, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, NHSE England and the UK Health Security Agency outline the amendments to the regulations.
If there are any other issues/questions that you would like raised at the sessions please let them know via england.eaimms@nhs.net