School Aged Immunisation Services in Thames Valley, Kent and Medway and Sussex

NHS England South East is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) and responses to a market questionnaire from providers which have the capability and capacity to provide a School Aged Immunisation Service within the Thames Valley, Kent and Medway and Sussex areas, and would wish to take to part in a potential procurement exercise. Responses will help to inform the commissioning strategy. The overall aim of the procurement is to secure services that will ensure maximum uptake and coverage of school aged immunisation programmes and contribute to the population outcomes set out in the national immunisation strategy that is due to be published shortly. The invitation to tender is likely to be published in September 2023 and the contract is due to begin in August 2024. It is likely that the services will be split into 6 lots based around local authority boundaries, but this is still being considered and the final decision will be informed by both market and stakeholder engagement. The total annual contract value across all areas is anticipated to be £7,656,924. Immunisation is one of the most successful and cost effective health protection interventions. High immunisation rates are key to preventing the spread of infectious disease, complications and possible early death among individuals and to protecting the population's health. School Aged Immunisation Services deliver specified vaccination programmes to all children and young people of school age, irrespective of educational setting. Providers are expected to tailor deliver methods and settings to the needs of the population served so as to maximise coverage. The programmes currently in scope are: •Diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis (Td/IPV adolescent booster); •Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY); •Human papillomavirus (HPV); •Seasonal influenza (flu) immunisation programmes for school aged children (the cohort is expected to expand in future years); and •Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) catch-up. •Under-immunised pre-school catch-up This scope may be extended in future to include additional programmes as advised/recommended by the Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations and/or at the request of the commissioner. Schedules may also change in respect of number or timing of doses or the eligible population to be served. Providers will be expected to respond to such changes. Aim and Objectives of service The aim of the service is to achieve maximum uptake and coverage of the programmes in scope. It will do this through safe, effective, accessible and high quality delivery to the eligible population. The service offer will incorporate the following features: •A planned and co-ordinated approach with strong local leadership focussed on maximising coverage and uptake •Identification of, and full offer to, the whole eligible population, with repeated offers until school leaving age •Delivery which addresses local health inequalities, with additional tailored and targeted interventions where necessary, including outreach and community-based options •The service will be delivered in a culturally sensitive way by a suitably trained and competent and diverse workforce that reflects the population served, with effective use of skill mix to achieve efficiency and value for money •Accurate and timely recording, collation and reporting of vaccinations both for individuals and at population level •A programme of promotion and engagement activities to encourage vaccine uptake. This will include collaborating with and supporting NHS England UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)in any campaigns or activities it undertakes. There is an expectation that the contract holder(s) for all lots will work with public health nursing and other children's services across the geography/s to maximise collaboration and opportunities for integrated service offer and delivery. This exercise is being managed by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner(s).