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Chapter 3 – Vaccinations and immunisations in the UK

Amendment to childhood immunisation two year old target payments
3.1 Prior to the introduction of a Pentavalent vaccine (Pediacel '5 in 1' vaccine) in September 2004, the target payment scheme consisted of four separate vaccine lines. Achievement in each vaccine line described below contributed equally in determining whether the target had been achieved and the level of payment awarded:

• group1: diphtheria, tetanus, polio
• group 2: pertussis
• group 3 :measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• group 4: haemophilius influenza type B.

3.2 The Pentavalent vaccine reduced the total number of vaccine lines to two. Thus MMR vaccine contributed towards 50% of the overall total in determining the calculation of achievement, making it more difficult for some practices to reach the targets and earn the target payment.

3.3 With affect from April 2006 we have agreed to introduce the Meningitis C vaccine into the target payment system to redistribute the weighting between three groups instead of two:

• group 1: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis, haemophilius influenza type B (Pentavlent) (50%)
• group 2: measles, mumps, rubella. (MMR) (25%)
• group 3: meningitis C (25%).

3.4 Achievement in the MMR domain will therefore contribute to the calculation of target payments in line with original scheme intentions. The Statement of Financial Entitlements will be amended to reflect this new calculation methodology and the payments system will be updated to ensure practices target payments are calculated in line with these new arrangements.

3.5 The Statement of Financial Entitlements will be effective from 1 April 2006 and will include details of the calculation of the new target payments.

3.6 The GPC and NHS Employers will be negotiating arrangements to implement the recently announced inclusion of the pneumococcal vaccine in the childhood immunisation scheme.