RSV vaccines: what’s the latest?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that can affect people of all ages. It is particularly serious in infants and the elderly, leading to severe respiratory infections and is a major cause of hospitalisations in these age groups. In June 2023, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended an immunisation programme […]
Boosting Flu Vaccine Uptake

The 2023-24 flu vaccine programme is now well underway, having commenced in schools and for those most at risk alongside the Autumn 2023 COVID-19 booster programme in early September 2023. Flu vaccines play a crucial role in helping to safeguard individuals, communities and in protecting our National Health Service (NHS). Healthcare professionals can all help […]
Sexual health in primary care and community pharmacy: positive developments and the challenges still faced

Sexual health is an important element in the overall physical health and mental health of an individual. Sexual contact can lead to the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) which, if left untreated, can lead to serious health complications. The public need access to advice from health professionals who are knowledgeable about sexual health and […]
Confused about the Changes to the Autumn 2023 COVID-19 Vaccination Programme? All the Updates Explained.

As we approach the autumn of 2023, the NHS is gearing up for another round of COVID-19 vaccinations, but this time, there are some significant changes to the Covid-19 autumn vaccination programme that you should be aware of. In response to the evolving situation with new variants of the virus, the autumn vaccination programme has […]
Why are so many pharmacists signing up for flu training?

More confusion and yet a sudden surge in last minute sign-ups for flu training among UK pharmacists: Unraveling the trend As we approach the flu season, there has been a noticeable surge in the number of UK pharmacists signing up for flu training despite the continued confusion and changes with service requirements. In this blog […]
Will I be able to give vaccines if I do this course?

“Do this course, and you’ll be an expert in [insert skill]. Guaranteed!” How many times have you come across such claims, only to be left disappointed and ill-prepared? Well, brace yourself for a refreshingly honest answer. At Health Academy, we’re repeatedly asked this question: “Will I be able to [insert skill] if I do this […]
Understanding FGM and your responsibilities as healthcare professionals

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a deeply ingrained harmful cultural practice that is still carried out in certain communities across the world, mainly in some countries in Africa, the Middle East and certain parts of Asia. FGM can have serious physical, emotional and psychological implications and is illegal in the UK. As healthcare professionals, particularly those working in travel health services, we have the […]
Flu training? It’s only June!

I know, it’s only June, so surely we can’t be talking about updating your flu training already. It seems like we’ve only just come out of that long winter we had this year. If vaccination fatigue is a thing, I am sure that every health professional must be suffering with it, so seeing a post […]
Flu training for pharmacists – the standards explained

Headlines for Pharmacists wishing to vaccinate this Flu season: Background In August 2022 NHS England published the service specification for the pharmacy flu service. Significantly, a change to the training requirements were announced. The key changes are: Which has been replaced with: So what do the changes mean for my practice? For many years in […]
Dealing with anxious patients

Vaccinations have long been hailed as one of the most effective ways to prevent and control infectious diseases. However, for some individuals, the thought of getting vaccinated can evoke feelings of anxiety and fear. As healthcare providers, it is crucial to understand and address the concerns of dealing with anxious patients to help them make […]