Letters and urgent communications 2021

Date published: 06 January 2021

Last updated: 27 October 2021

Advice from the Chief Medical Officer to HSC professionals for 2021

Documents

HSS(MD) 73/2021 - Supply disruption alert - tocilizumab (roactemra®) 162mg/0.9ml solution for injection pre-filled syringes and pre-filled pens – non covid-19 indications
PDF (596 KB)
HSS(MD) 72/2021 - Supply disruption alert - diazepam rectubes® 2.5mg rectal solution
PDF (715 KB)
HSS(MD) 71/2021 - Vaccine Supply for the Covid-19 Booster Vaccination Programme
PDF (587 KB)
HSS(MD) 70/2021 - Universal vaccination of children and young people aged 12-15 years against Covid-19
PDF (570 KB)
HSS(MD) 69/2021 - Covid-19 booster vaccine programme for winter 2021/22
PDF (631 KB)
Addendum HSS(MD)68/2021 - Deployment of the Pfizer and Moderna covid-19 vaccines in general practice - governance, handling and preparation requirements
PDF (90 KB)
HSS(MD) 68/2021 - Deployment of Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines in General Practice
PDF (322 KB)
HSS(MD) 67/2021 - The use of Unlicensed Medicines in the Treatment of Covid-19
PDF (392 KB)
Statement from the UK Chief Medical Officers on Water Fluoridation – 23 September 2021
PDF (122 KB)
HSS(MD) 66/2021 - Advice on third primary dose for Covid-19 Vaccination
PDF (767 KB)
HSS(MD) 65/2021 - Covid-19 therapeutic alert: casirivimab and imdevimab (ronapreve®) for patients hospitalised due to covid-19
PDF (293 KB)
HSS(MD) 64/2021 (Addendum) - Seasonal influenza vaccination programme 2021/22
PDF (414 KB)
HSS(MD) 64/2021 - Seasonal influenza vaccination programme 2021/22
PDF (1.4 MB)
HSS(MD) 63/2021 - Covid-19 therapeutic alert: interleukin-6 inhibitors (tocilizumab or sarilumab) for adult patients hospitalised due to Covid-19
PDF (234 KB)
Interim Clinical Commissioning Policy: IL-6 inhibitors (tocilizumab or sarilumab) for hospitalised patients with COVID-19 (adults) - 12 September 2021
PDF (297 KB)
UK CMOs letter on Universal Vaccination of Children and Young People aged 12-15 years against COVID-19
PDF (771 KB)
CMO letter to Parents, Pupils and school community - September 2021
PDF (197 KB)
HSS (MD) 62/2021 - Shingles Vaccination Programme – Eligibility Criteria for 2021/22 and Introduction of Shingrix® for Immunocompromised
PDF (328 KB)
HSS (MD) 61/2021 - Labelling of Fluenz Tetra® Vaccine during 2021/22 Influenza Season
PDF (391 KB)
HSS (MD) 60/2021 - Potent Synthetic Opioids Implicated in Increase in Drug Overdoses
PDF (301 KB)
HSS (MD) 59/2021 - Updated policy for management of self-isolation of close contacts of covid-19 cases who are fully vaccinated - additional safeguards for health and social care staff
PDF (628 KB)
HSS (MD) 58/2021 - Update to UK Guidance on Patient Consent for Blood Transfusion
PDF (655 KB)
HSS (MD) 57/2021 - Pause on Vaccination of Low Priority Groups and Change to the Ordering Process for Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (Pneumovax®23), Vaccine for the National Immunisation Programme
PDF (344 KB)
HSS (MD) 56/2021 - Further updated advice from JCVI regarding children aged 16 and 17 years of age
PDF (490 KB)
HSS (MD) 55/2021 - Supply Disruption Alert – Glipizide (Minodiab®) 5mg Tablets
PDF (527 KB)
HSS (MD) 54/2021 – Updated JCVI Advice re Children 12-17 Years of Age
PDF (488 KB)
HSS (MD) 53/2021 - Supply disruption alert - tinzaparin sodium (10,000 iu/ml) 3,500 units in 0.35 ml and 4,500 units in 0.45 ml pre-filled syringes
PDF (594 KB)
HSS (MD) 52/2021 - Change of dose interval between the pfizer-biontech and moderna covid-19 vaccines
PDF (396 KB)
HSS (MD) 51/2021 - Polyethylene glycol (peg) laxatives and starch-based thickeners: potential interactive effect when mixed, leading to an increased risk of aspiration
PDF (253 KB)
HSS (MD) 50/2021 - Revised RQIA/GAIN hyperkalaemia guideline
PDF (191 KB)
HSS (MD) 49/2021 - Fully vaccinated Health & Social Care Staff told to self-isolate as a close contact may be permitted to attend work in exceptional circumstances
PDF (480 KB)
HSS (MD) 48/2021 - Use of European Medicines Agency (EMA) Authorised Medicines in Northern Ireland
PDF (537 KB)
HSS (MD) 47/2021 - Personal protective equipment and heat - Risk of heat stress
PDF (278 KB)
HSS (MD) 46/2021 - Palivizumab passive immunisation against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in at risk pre-term infants
PDF (474 KB)
HSS (MD) 46/2021 - Covid-19 rapid policy statment
PDF (380 KB)
HSS (MD) 45/2021 - EU Settlement Scheme – Access to Healthcare for EU, EEA and Swiss Citizens Resident in Northern Ireland by 31 December 2020
PDF (260 KB)
HSS (MD) 44 2021 - Supply Disruption Alert - Dexamethasone 0.1% (Maxidex®) 5ml Eye Drops
PDF (718 KB)
HSS (MD) 43/2021 - UK Patient Safety Alert NatPSA2021005MHRA- Philips ventilator, CPAP and BiPAP devices Potential for patient harm due to inhalation of particles and volatile organic compounds
PDF (331 KB)
HSS (MD) 42/2021 - Supply Disruption Alert - Champix® (Varenicline) 0.5MG and 1mg Tablets
PDF (569 KB)
HSS (MD) 41/2021 – Hepatitis C becomes a Notifiable Disease in Northern Ireland
PDF (171 KB)
HSS (MD) 40/2021 - Remdesivir for Patients Hospitalised with COVID-19 (Adults and Children aged 12 Years and over) COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert
PDF (359 KB)
Interim Clinical Commissioning Policy: Remdesivir for patients hospitalised with COVID-19 (adults and children 12 years and older) Version 3
PDF (675 KB)
HSS (MD) 39/2021 - Change of Dose Interval between COVID-19 Vaccines
PDF (224 KB)
HSS (MD) 38/2021 - Vaccination Protocol for COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna
PDF (1.1 MB)
HSS (MD) 37/2021 - Vaccination protocol update for Covid-19 vaccine Astrazeneca - 26 May 2021 -
PDF (1.1 MB)
HSS (MD) 36/2021 - Change to the Supply Route of Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (Pneumovax®23), Vaccine for the National Immunisation Programme
PDF (361 KB)
HSS (MD)35/2021 - Use of the Astrazeneca Vaccine: Advice on Updated JCVI Statement
PDF (262 KB)
HSS (MD) 34/2021 - MHRA and JCVI ANNOUNCEMENT regarding Astrazeneca Vaccine Updated Contraindications and Next Steps
PDF (606 KB)
HSS (MD) 33/2021 - JCVI Announcement regarding COVID-19 Vaccination during Pregnancy and Next Steps
PDF (480 KB)
HSS (MD) 32/2021 - Vaccination Protocol for COVID-19 Vaccine BNT162b2 (Pfizer / Biontech) and Update to Vaccination Protocol for COVID-19 Vaccine Astrazeneca
PDF (1.6 MB)
HSS(MD) 31/2021 - End of the 2020/21 flu season and related issues
PDF (224 KB)
HSS (MD) 30/2021 - Supply Disruption Alert – Propofol Emulsion for Infusion and Injection (All Strengths) – Update
PDF (510 KB)
HSS (MD) 29/2021 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert - Inhaled Budesonide for Adults (50 Years And Over) with COVID-19
PDF (325 KB)
Interim Position Statement: Inhaled budesonide for adults (50 years and over) with COVID-19
PDF (191 KB)
HSS (MD) 28/2021 - COVID-19 Vaccine Astrazeneca and Thromboembolic Events with Concurrent Low Platelet Counts
PDF (214 KB)
HSS (MD) 27/2021 - Palivizumab Passive Immunisation against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Rsv) in At-Risk Pre-Term Infants
PDF (194 KB)
HSS (MD) 26/2021 - Vaccination Protocol for COVID-19 Vaccine Astrazeneca
PDF (1001 KB)
HSS (MD) 25/2021 - Convalescent Plasma in the management of hospitalised patients with Covid-19
PDF (186 KB)
HSS (MD) 24/2021 - UK Patient Safety Alert NATPSA/2021/001/MHRA - Becton Dickinson (BD) Intra-Venous (IV) and Gravity Feed Infusion Sets
PDF (2.4 MB)
HSS (MD) 23/2021 - Supply Disruption Alert - Repaglinide 1mg and 2mg Tablets
PDF (815 KB)
HSS (MD) 22/2021 – Supply Disruption Alert – Discontinuation of Morphine Sulphate (Mst Continus®) 20mg, 30mg, 60mg, 100mg and 200mg Prolonged Release Granules for Oral Suspension (Napp Pharmaceuticals)
PDF (606 KB)
HSS (MD) 21/2021 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert – Interleukin-6 Inhibitors (Tocilizumab or Sarilumab) for Hospitalised Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia (Adults) - Update
PDF (352 KB)
HSS (MD) 20/2021 COVID-19 Vaccines : Weekly Publication of Yellow Card Safety Data
PDF (230 KB)
HSS (MD) 19/2021 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert – Colchicine in the Management Of COVID-19 Positive Patients – Use Only in a Clinical Trial Setting
PDF (281 KB)
HSS (MD) 18/2021 - Supply Disruption Alert - Phyllocontin® (Aminophylline) 225mg and 350mg Modified Release Tablets
PDF (1.2 MB)
HSS (MD) 17/2021 - Supply Disruption Alert – Propofol Emulsion for Infusion and Injection (All Strengths)
PDF (553 KB)
HSS (MD) 16/2021 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert - Interleukin-6 Inhibitors (Tocilizumab or Sarilumab) for Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia (Adults) – Update
PDF (328 KB)
HSS (MD) 15/2021 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert – Antimicrobials (Azithromycin and Doxycycline) not Beneficial in the Management Of COVID-19 – (SARS-CoV-2) Positive Patients
PDF (300 KB)
HSS (MD) 14/2021 - Safety of Antiepileptic Drugs in Pregnancy: Updated Advice Following Comprensive Safety Review
PDF (274 KB)
HSS (MD) 13/2021 - Updated Guidance on Timing of COVID-19 Vaccine Dosing Interval in Patients due to Receive Treatment with Immunosuppressants
PDF (490 KB)
HSS (MD) 12/2021 - Supply Disruption to Stoma Care Products
PDF (84 KB)
HSS (MD) 11/2021 - Prescribing of Vitamin D as a Preventative Measure against COVID-19
PDF (206 KB)
HSS (MD) 10/2021 - Guidance on the Use of the COVID-19 Vaccine Astrazeneca to Vaccinate Housebound Patients
PDF (563 KB)
HSS (MD) 9/2021 - New Variants of SARS-CoV-2 Virus (Brazilian Variants); Action for the Health Service
PDF (229 KB)
HSS (MD) 8/2021 - Supply Disruption Alert - Methylprednisolone Powder for Solution for Injection (All Strengths)
PDF (495 KB)
HSS (MD) 7/2021 - Support Doctors throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic
PDF (354 KB)
HSS (MD) 6/2021 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert – Interleukin-6 Inhibitors (Tocilizumab Or Sarilumab) for Patients admitted to Critical Care Settings with COVID-19 Pneumonia (Adults)
PDF (331 KB)
HSS (MD) 5/2021 - Data Capture from the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme
PDF (182 KB)
Interim Position Statement: Interleukin-6 inhibitors (tocilizumab or sarilumab) for patients admitted to ICU with COVID-19 pneumonia (adults)
PDF (197 KB)
HSS (MD) 4/2021 - Timing of Interval between Covid-19 Vaccine Doses
PDF (461 KB)
HSS (MD) 3/2021 - Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2020/21 – Extension to 50-64 Year Olds
PDF (293 KB)
HSS (MD) 2/2021 - Deployment of COVID-19 Vaccine Oxford / AstraZeneca - Governance, Handling and Preparation in General Practice
PDF (242 KB)
HSS (MD) 1/2021 - Lithium Carbonate (Priadel®) 200mg and 400mg Modified Release Tablets – Updated Supply Disruption Alert
PDF (791 KB)

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