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.
Users may need to verify their completion of the updated COVID-19 Vaccines training for either Moderna or Pfizer. Please note that the completion date shown on their issued certificate, must be on or after the following dates to ensure that the latest version of the learning has been completed:
The original COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna session and assessment were recently updated and re-titled Moderna COVID-19 vaccines (Spikevax Original and Spikevax Bivalent). This updated learning was made live on the HEE elfh hub on the 26 August 2022.
The original COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer BioNTech Comirnaty 30 micrograms dose session and assessment were recently updated and re-titled Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccines (Comirnaty 30 Concentrate and Comirnaty Bivalent). This updated learning was made live on the HEE elfh on the 23 September 2022.
23 September 2022
Pfizer COVID vaccine Comirnaty 30 Concentrate and Comirnaty Bivalent
Updates 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 6th 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