Protocols
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This page contains links to the latest PGD’s for the 2026/27 COVID and FLU campaigns, information about which mechanism can be used by which staff member and whether tasks can be delegated
Seasonal Flu
Updates:
NHS England — South West » NHS England South West – Patient Group Direction downloads
NHS England — South East » South East Patient Group Direction downloads
Key points:
As of April 1, 2026, the temporary National Protocols used for COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations have been replaced by a new, permanent legal mechanism known as Vaccine Group Directions (VGDs).
To give greater flexibility in terms of workforce, under the now retired National Protocol, the regulations were temporarily amended during the pandemic to allow the dilution and drawing up elements to be delegated under supervision to someone other than the vaccinator.
From 1 April 2026, under the new legal mechanism (VGD), only the person administering a vaccine may carry out reconstitution or dilution.
This means the previous temporary provisions that allowed supervised staff to prepare COVID‑19 vaccines without additional licences will end on 31 March 2026. From 1 April, under the Vaccine Group Directive only the person administering a vaccine may carry out reconstitution or dilution (which is already the case under PGDs/PSDs).
Parts of the regulation allowing licensed wholesalers to relabel thawed, frozen‑stored vaccines have become permanent and have been expanded to cover all virus and bacterial vaccines. These amendments are helping future‑proof the supply chain.
Covid
Updates:
Download legal mechanisms for COVID- 19 vaccine, including PGD & National Protocol: Coronavirus » Legal mechanisms
Key points:
See Flu updates above