Updated guidance on vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status

Public Health England's guidance on vaccination of individuals with uncertain or incomplete immunisation status has recently been updated.

The single page flowchart summarises the relevant information contained in Immunisation against infectious disease: the Green Book to assist health care professionals plan vaccines for with those who present with an uncertain or incomplete vaccination history.

The general principles are as follows:

• unless there is a documented or reliable verbal vaccine history, individuals should be assumed to be unimmunised and a full course of immunisations planned
• individuals coming to the UK part way through their immunisation schedule should be transferred onto the UK schedule and immunised as appropriate for their age
• if the primary course has been started but not completed, resume the course. There is no need to repeat doses or restart the course
• plan catch-up immunisation schedule with a minimum number of visits and within a minimum possible timescale – aim to protect individuals in the shortest time possible

Please also see the following useful resources:

• TRAVAX Intervals Between Vaccinations
• TRAVAX Unknown Vaccination History
• UK immunisation schedule: the green book, chapter 11, section on schedule flexibility