Since the COVID-19 vaccination programme went live, the content of the different sessions which make up this programme has been updated and amended as more information about the vaccines and the vaccine programme has become available.

For those who have already completed this elearning programme, these updates are detailed below, starting with the most recent.

Autumn 2024 vaccination campaign

UKHSA updates both the core and vaccine specific COVID-19 vaccination elearning sessions for every seasonal campaign to deadlines agreed with NHS England once a policy decision has been made and announced by Government.

A policy decision for this autumn is awaited. The NHS England immunisation team will communicate the agreed training publication dates to commissioners and providers.

Whilst we cannot provide a date at this time, we can confirm that these resources will be revised prior to the start of the campaign to allow staff time to update their knowledge. There is no requirement to undertake the core sessions, including the assessment for every campaign (unless your employer specifies that you must) but it is freely available, and we encourage all staff to use it to refresh their underpinning knowledge.

09 April 2024

All training sessions and assessments have been updated to include the latest Green Book content and meet the requirements for the spring 2024 vaccination campaign.

There is now just one, combined session covering the material for vaccination of eligible adults and young people (aged 12 years and above). This draws on updated material from the previous versions of the elearning sessions for the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccines for adults and young people and Moderna (Spikevax) vaccines for adults. There is a separate assessment for each of these two vaccines.

There are still separate, updated sessions and assessments for the Pfizer Comirnaty 10 micrograms/dose vaccine for eligible children aged 5 to 11 years of age, and for the Pfizer Comirnaty 3 micrograms/dose concentrate vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years of age.

It is recommended that experienced staff undertake the updated elearning and assessments for the vaccine(s) that they will be using.

It is also recommended that new vaccinators undertake the Core elearning session before completion of the relevant vaccine specific session(s). The Core session and the accompanying assessment have also been updated.

All four sessions and their assessments remain freely available to any staff member seeking to refresh and update their knowledge.

The Sanofi COVID-19 Vaccine (VidPrevtyn® Beta) learning and assessment sessions have now been retired.

24 October 2023

The training and assessment for the Pfizer BioNTech Comirnaty 3 micrograms/dose COVID-19 vaccine has now been updated for the Autumn 2023 campaign, including the addition of material about the latest Omicron XBB.15 variant vaccine that will be administered to eligible younger children from 16th October.

This revised material joins the already updated training sessions and assessments for the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty-branded COVID-19 Vaccines for older children, adolescents and adults and the Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine for adults, all of which now meet the requirements for the autumn 2023 campaign.

It is recommended that new vaccinators undertake the Core elearning session before completion of the relevant vaccine specific session(s).

Important additional information has been added to the session descriptions for VidPrevtyn Beta about changes that must be immediately adopted.

Staff who complete any training and assessment before the Autumn 2023 updates have been made, must be aware that some of the content does not align with the requirements and clinical guidance for the Autumn 2023 vaccination campaign. It is always advisable for staff to undertake the latest training. For this reason, if you undertake the ‘Spring 2023’ version(s) of these sessions you may wish to complete or revisit this training and assessment once the latest version is available. Users may need to verify their completion of the updated COVID-19 vaccines training for the autumn 2023 campaign. Staff should comply with their employing organisation’s training requirements.

The Core elearning session and its accompanying assessment have been updated to include the autumn 2023 vaccination campaign and the latest Green Book content.

11^th October 2023

Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty 3 micrograms/dose

Material about the latest Omicron XBB.1.5 variant vaccine has been added and all content is aligned to the Green Book guidance for the autumn 2023 vaccination campaign for younger children.

5^th October 2023

Moderna COVID-19 vaccines Spikevax Original/Omicron BA.4-5 and XBB.1.5 COVID-19 Vaccines Material about the latest Omicron XBB.1.5 variant vaccine has been added to information about the Original/Omicron BA.4-5 bivalent vaccine and all content is aligned to the Green Book guidance for the autumn 2023 vaccination campaign for adults.

27^th September 2023

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines Comirnaty 10 (XBB.1.5) Ready to use session and assessment. This session covers the autumn 2023 vaccination campaign for children aged 5 -11 years. the content is aligned to the latest Green Book guidance and indicates the differences between the XBB. 1.5 variant vaccine now being supplied and the previous Comirnaty 10 product, an understanding of which are essential to ensure safe, accurate practice. The accompanying assessment tests knowledge of these changes.

20^th September 2023

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines (Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4-5 (15/15) and Comirnaty 30 XBB.1.5) session and assessment. Between 6^th and 19^th September this session covered only the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines (Comirnaty bivalent 15/15). From 20^th September 2023 this session and assessment also provide the learning for the Comirnaty 30 XBB.1.5 COVID-19 vaccine. Most information about the Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.1 (15/15) bivalent 15/15 product have been removed. Staff who completed this session and the accompanying assessment prior to 20^th September are encouraged to revisit them. The key differences between Comirnaty 30 XBB.1.5 and Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4-5 (15/15) are outlined in the session Introduction (page 3).

Pfizer BioNTech Comirnaty 3 (THREE) Concentrate COVID-19 vaccine session. Neither the session nor the accompanying assessment have been updated but text has been added to the session description to make this clear, and to indicate that the recommended routine interval between doses of this and all other COVID-19 vaccines is now 3 months (12 weeks). The session will be updated to include the autumn 2023 campaign details and the Comirnaty 3 (THREE) XBB.1.5 variant vaccine and republished during the week commencing 11^th October 2023 as directed by NHS England. Staff should meanwhile refer to the Green Book COVID-19 chapter and operational guidance from NHS England.

15th September 2023

VidPrevtyn Beta COVID-19 vaccine session. Neither the session nor the accompanying assessment have been updated but text has been added to the session description to make this clear, and to indicate that the recommended use of this vaccine – as an alternative when an mRNA vaccine is not considered clinically suitable – has now been extended from age 65 years to age 18 years and above. Staff should refer to the Green Book COVID-19 chapter and operational guidance from NHS England regarding the autumn 2023 vaccination campaign.

6th September 2023

Comirnaty bivalent 15/15 COVID-19 vaccines session

This session has been updated to support the autumn 2023 vaccination campaign and ‘surge response’. The key changes are:

• Updated to reflect the latest edition of the Green Book
• Added further information about ‘variant virus strains’ and expected changes to variant vaccines for autumn 2023
• Summarised or removed details of previous campaigns/ vaccines
• Added new content ‘limitation of pandemic COVID-19 vaccination offer’ which describes the current overall/targeted approach
• Added new content ‘autumn 2023 campaign’ including surge response, single doses, 3 month intervals, and an explanation that there are no longer primary and booster doses
• Included detail of the changes to the scheduling for individuals with severe immunosuppression

23rd May 2023

Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty 3 (THREE) concentrate (3 micrograms/dose) COVID-19 vaccine

New session and assessment:

• full suite of information about Pfizer BioNTech Comirnaty 3 (THREE) Concentrate
• the latest Green Book Chapter 14a guidance/ JCVI recommendations
• the indications for Comirnaty 3 (THREE) Concentrate from June 2023 for children aged 6 months to 4 years
• which vaccine to give to children presenting for vaccination at age 5 years
• differences between Comirnaty 3 (THREE) Concentrate and Comirnaty 10 Concentrate
• links to key resources including manufacturer’s preparation video
• specific guidance and links to resources about the vaccination of infants and young children

Core Knowledge for COVID-19 vaccinators

Updated:

Advice to wait 4 weeks after COVID-19 infection before eligible vaccinating children aged 6 months to 4 years has been removed in line with an update to the JCVI and Green Book recommendations

28 April 2023

Moderna COVID-19 vaccines Spikevax bivalent 25/25

Updated to include:

• the spring 2023 booster campaign and ‘Evergreen’ primary offer
• latest changes to the Green Book chapter 14a
• programme history largely summarised, except where required to provide context
• removal of Spikevax Original vaccine information except where required to provide context
• information about the two Spikevax Original/bivalent 25/25 vaccines nows available and their use, emphasising their similarities and limited differences
• current weblinks and nomenclature

25 April 2023

Core Knowledge for COVID-19 Vaccinators

Updated to include:

• an explanation of the ‘living with COVID-19’ approach to vaccination
• the spring 2023 booster programme and the criteria for the soring 2023 ‘Evergreen’ primary offer
• latest changes to the Green Book chapter 14a including recommended intervals, co-administration
• currently supplied vaccines including bivalent mRNA vaccines and the introduction of Sanofi VidPrevtyn Beta for older adults, and of Pfizer BioNTech Comirnaty 3 (THREE) concentrate for 6 months to 4 year old children at clinical risk
• current weblinks and nomenclature

Note: the core session assessment questions, last updated on 11^th April 2023, have again been reviewed; no further changes have been made

11 April 2023

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty 10 Concentrate

Updated to include:

• the spring 2023 campaign for 5 to 11 year olds: boosters for immunosuppressed children and the criteria for the ‘Evergreen’ primary offer (household contacts of immunosuppressed no longer included)
• latest changes to the Green Book chapter 14a including recommended intervals, co-administration
• Explanation of ‘Living with COVID-19’ approach
• clinical risk group details removed – signposted to Green Book
• current weblinks and product information/nomenclature

27 March 2023

Sanofi COVID-19 vaccine VidPrevtyn® Beta

New session:

• full suite of information about VidPrevtyn® Beta
• particular reference to the inclusion of an adjuvant
• detail about preparation (mixing) before administration
• the latest Green Book Chapter 14a guidance/ JCVI recommendations
• the indications for VidPrevtyn® Beta for specific cohorts of older adults as part of the spring 2023 booster campaign
• summary of programme history to provide context
• links to resources including manufacturer’s preparation video

Pfizer COVID -19 vaccine Comirnaty bivalent 15/15

Updated to include:

• the spring 2023 booster campaign and ‘Evergreen’ primary offer
• latest changes to the Green Book chapter 14a
• programme history largely summarised, except where required to provide context
• removal of Comirnaty 30 Concentrate vaccine information except where required to provide context
• information about the two Comirnaty Original/bivalent 15/15 vaccines now available and their use, emphasising their similarities and limited differences
• current weblinks and nomenclature

23 September 2022

Pfizer COVID vaccine Comirnaty 30 Concentrate and Comirnaty Bivalent

Updated to include:

• the autumn 2022 booster programme
• latest changes to the Green Book chapter 14a
• information about Comirnaty bivalent vaccine and its use
• current weblinks and nomenclature
• emphasis on and assess understanding of product differences

9 September 2022

Core Knowledge for COVID-19 Vaccinators

Updated to include:

• the autumn 2022 booster programme and latest changes to the Green Book chapter 14a
• currently supplied vaccines including bivalent and withdrawal of Astra Zeneca
• addition of information about off-label use
• current weblinks and nomenclature
• assessment questions and answers aligned to updated session content

2 September 2022

COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty 10 micrograms/dose)

Updated to include:

• the autumn 2022 booster programme (children aged 5 – 11 in risk groups)
• latest changes to the Green Book chapter 14a and shelf-life section in the product’s SPC
• addition of information about off-label use
• current weblinks and nomenclature
• assessment answers expanded

26 August 2022

COVID-19 vaccine Moderna session and assessment revised and updated to include:

• Autumn 2022 booster programme
• The recently approved Spikevax Bivalent vaccine
• Clearly identify the differences between Spikevax Original and Spikevax Bivalent, including their licensing, indications and doses

The HEE elfh session for Moderna has been updated to include training for Spikevax Bivalent. Sites are reminded that staff will need to complete the updated training. Staff who accessed or completed the training before 4pm on Friday, 26 August 2022, are advised to revisit the session to ensure that they have completed the correct assessment. This is to make sure that you are confident that you have understood the similarities and differences between the two vaccines, and to be able to practice safely when using them. Your employer may ask to see proof of this.

19 January 2022

All sessions updated to include

• revisions following republication of the Green Book COVID-19 Chapter (11/01/22 version)

17 January 2022

New knowledge and assessment sessions for the Pfizer BioNTech Comirnaty 10 micrograms/dose COVID-19 vaccine added

30 December 2021

All sessions updated to include

• revisions following republication of the Green Book COVID-19 Chapter (24/12/21 version)
• the JCVI recommendations (22/12/21) of booster doses for:
  • all young people aged 16 to 17 years
  • children and young people aged 12 to 15 who are in a clinical risk group or who are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed
  • children and young people aged 12 to 17 years who are severely immunocompromised and who have had a third primary dose
• the JCVI recommendations (22/12/21) that children aged 5 to11 years in a clinical risk group or who are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed should be offered COVID-19 vaccination with a lower dose of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine

17 December 2021

All sessions updated to include

• revisions following republication of the Green Book COVID-19 Chapter (14/12/21 version)
• updates to pregnancy sections following recommendation from JCVI that pregnancy should added to the clinical high risk groups
• temporary suspension of the requirement for a 15 minute observation period following administration of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines

2 December 2021

All sessions updated to include

• revisions following republication of the Green Book COVID-19 Chapter (30/11/21 version)
• extension of recommendation for booster doses to include all 18- to 39-year-olds
• change to a 3 month minimum interval between primary course and booster doses
• recommendation for booster dose from 3 months after third primary dose for those who were severely immunosuppressed at the time of their first or second primary vaccine
• recommendation for 2^nd primary dose for those aged 12 to 15 years

26 November 2021

All sessions updated to include

• revisions following republication of the Green Book COVID-19 Chapter (15/11/21 version)
• extension of recommendation for booster doses to include 40–49-year-olds
• recommendations for 2^nd primary dose for those aged 16 and 17 years

23 September 2021

All sessions updated to include

• revisions following republication of the Green Book COVID-19 Chapter (16.9.21 version): notably changes to management of potential contraindications
• recommendations for booster doses
• recommendations for 3^rd primary dose for those immunosuppressed at the time of their first or second vaccine
• vaccination recommendations for all 12 to 17 year olds

5 August 2021

All sessions updated to include

• revisions following republication of the Green Book COVID-19 Chapter
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• vaccination recommendations for 12 to 17 year olds

Core session updated to include consent for children and young people

Pfizer BioNTech vaccine session revised to detail transition from use of this vaccine under Regulation 174 to use under Conditional Marketing Authorisation

8 July 2021

Pfizer BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccine sessions all updated to include

• the latest vaccine effectiveness data
• reference to JCVI interim advice about a booster vaccination programme
• myocarditis and pericarditis reports following the Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna vaccines
• capillary leak syndrome reports following AstraZeneca vaccine
• revised advice on co-administration and giving COVID-19 vaccine when other vaccines have recently been given
• advice about mixed vaccine schedules
• JCVI advice about the recommended interval of 8 to 12 weeks between vaccine doses
• more information about vaccine induced thrombosis and thrombocytopenia syndrome following AstraZeneca vaccine added and updated contraindications and precautions for this vaccine
• some minor wording changes to all sessions following recent updates to the Green Book COVID-19 chapter and new web­­links added

11 May 2021

AstraZeneca session updated to include

• updated advice from the JCVI that an alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccine should be offered to healthy adults aged under 40 years, not only to healthy adults under 30 years as previously recommended in April

21 April 2021

All sessions updated to include

• new JCVI advice on COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women

AstraZeneca session more substantially updated to include

• new advice about very rare blood clotting and unusual bleeding condition following vaccination with AstraZeneca vaccine and the subsequent new contraindications and precautions to this vaccine, including changes to age group recommendations

Some minor wording changes to all sessions following recent updates to the Green Book COVID-19 chapter and new web­­links and images added.

8 April 2021

New knowledge and assessment sessions for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine added

16 February 2021

Core Knowledge, Pfizer BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccine sessions all updated to include

• advice on managing allergic history and allergies after first dose
• updated information and clarification of advice on vaccination in pregnancy

as stated in revised Green Book COVID-19 chapter

29 January 2021

Pfizer BioNTech vaccine session:

• Wording revised to say 6 doses obtainable from vial in response to a change in the Information for Healthcare Professionals on Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine document

AstraZeneca vaccine session:

• Change to state multidose vial should be clearly labelled with the date and time of expiry rather than from when it was first punctured

Some minor wording changes in Core Knowledge, Pfizer BioNTech and AstraZeneca sessions in response to user feedback or nationally published guidance.

20 January 2021

Core Knowledge session:

• Section on Long COVID added,
• Section on laboratory and pathology staff and social care staff eligibility for vaccination updated to be in line with Green Book COVID-19 chapter
• Change to wording around immunosuppression to reflect change to Green Book COVID-19 chapter about this

Pfizer BioNTech vaccine session:

• Waste disposal section updated in response to expert feedback
• Addition of ordering via Foundry system by PCN designated sites in response to request to add this from Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS)
• Change to wording of description of appearance of Pfizer BioNTech vaccine prior to dilution following change about this in the Pfizer Reg174 HCP Information document
• Addition of link and reference to the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine healthcare professional’s training and information materials (cvdvaccine.co.uk/)

AstraZeneca vaccine session:

• Waste disposal section updated in response to expert feedback
• Minor wording changes to “how does the vaccine work” in response to user feedback for clarity
• Addition of ordering via Foundry system by PCN designated sites in response to request to add this from Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS)
• Addition of link and reference to the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine healthcare professional’s training and information materials (cvdvaccine.co.uk/)

8 January 2021

• Advice about obtaining an additional dose from COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca vials added to AstraZeneca session
• More information about recommended interval between first and second dose added to both AstraZeneca and Pfizer BioNTech sessions
• More information added to section about information to provide to recipients following vaccination in both AstraZeneca and Pfizer BioNTech sessions.

31 December 2020

• New knowledge and assessment sessions on the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine added
• Core Knowledge and Pfizer BioNTech vaccine sessions updated to include: revised advice from JCVI on pregnancy and breastfeeding, updated statement from JCVI about scheduling of vaccine doses (between 4 and 12 weeks),
• Pfizer BioNTech session updated to include: advice on obtaining a 6^th dose from a vial, and allergy precautions as stated in updated Green Book COVID-19 chapter and updated Information for Healthcare Professionals on Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine document

December 2020

• Core Knowledge session updated with advice about not giving COVID-19 vaccine to pregnant or breastfeeding women after the COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 (Pfizer BioNTech) was authorised for use
• New MHRA guidance added on not giving COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 to those with a history of anaphylaxis to a vaccine, medicine or food or a previous dose of the vaccine and addition of 15 minute minimum observation period following vaccination
• Some amendments to the COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 session storage and reconstitution sections following republication of updated Information for Healthcare Professionals on Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine document