Guidance updates December 2021

The most important pieces of guidance released for general practice since our last newsletter are:

Regulatory approval of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 and Regulatory approval of Spikevax (formerly COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna) (MHRA guidance), 15 minute observation period temporarily suspended, updated 14.12.2021.
Preparing the NHS for the potential impact of the Omicron variant and other winter pressures (NHS England letter), published 13.12.2021.
CQC confirm postponement of GP inspections until 2022, published 13.12.2021.
JCVI advice in response to the emergence of the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant: next steps for deployment, published 3 December.

Other pieces of guidance that may be of interest are grouped below.

Covid-19 response guidance

Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19), updated 12.12.2021.
NHS Covid Pass, section for people who have been vaccinated overseas, added 09.12.2021.
National protocol for Comirnaty® Covid-19 mRNA vaccine, updated to version 4.0, 08.12.2021.
Myocarditis and pericarditis after Covid-19 vaccination: guidance for healthcare professionals, study and weekly MHRA summary links, updated 07.12.2021.
JCVI advice in response to the emergence of the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant: next steps for deployment, published 03.12.2021.
CMO letter re: Omicron variant, published 28.11.2021.
Prime Minister sets out new measures as Omicron variant identified in UK, published 27.11.2021.

Covid vaccination guidance

Patient group direction for Comirnaty® (Pfizer BioNTech), updated 08.12.2021.
Temporary GP contract changes to support Covid-19 vaccination programme, published 07.12.2021.
Vaccination as a condition of deployment (VCOD) for healthcare workers: Phase 1 – Planning and preparation, published 06.12.2021.
Covid-19 vaccination programme, IoS payments updated, 03.12.2021.
Covid-19 vaccination: a guide for eligible children and young people aged 12 to 17 (version 3), updated 02.12.2021.
Covid-19 vaccination: a guide to booster vaccination for individuals aged 18 years and over and those aged 16 years and over who are at risk, updated 01.12.2021.
Covid-19 vaccination: guide for people with a weakened immune system, updated 01.12,2021.
All adults to be offered Covid-19 boosters by end of January, published 30.11.2021.
Covid-19 vaccination: a guide to booster vaccination for individuals aged 18 years and over, published 30.11.2021.
MHRA statement on expansion of the Covid-19 vaccination booster programme, published 29.11.2021.
JCVI advice on Covid-19 booster vaccines for those aged 18 to 39 and a second dose for ages 12 to 15, published 29.11,2021.

Last updated : 16 Dec 2021

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