Current Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

FAO: All Optometry Colleagues

Below is the latest information RE: Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Last Updated: 20th March 2023 (at 13:00)

 

** Latest CMO Letters **

 

  1. HSS (MD) 15/2023 - 20.03.2023 - JCVI Advice on 2023 COVID-19 Spring Booster Programme and Significant Changes to the Primary Course Offer is available HERE

  2. HSS(MD) 12/2023 - 01.03.2023 - Preparing for a Spring COVID-19 Vaccination Booster Programme is available HERE

  3. HSS(MD) 05/2023 - 02.02.2023 - JCVI Advice on 2023 Covid-19 Vaccination Programme is available HERE

  4. HSS(MD) 51/2022 - 10.11.2022 - Letter to all Frontline Health and Social Care Workers - Encouraging Everyone to be Vaccinated for Influenza and COVID-19 this Autumn/Winter is available HERE

  5. HSS(MD) 50/2022 - 08.11.2022 - Updated Covid-19 Testing Guidance to Support Clinical Pathways is available HERE

  6. Letter from Professor Sir Michael McBride - Chief Medical Officer - 30.09.2022 - Pause of Asymptomatic Testing for Health and Social Care Workers and for Hospital Visitors is available HERE

  7. HSS(MD) 47/2022 - 29.09.2022 - Update on Advice for Primary COVID-19 Vaccination of Children Turning 5 Years of Age is available HERE

  8. HSS(MD) 39/2022 - 31.08.2022 - COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Programme for Autumn 2022 is available HERE

  9. HSS(MD) 31/2022 - 14.06.2022 - COVID-19 Spring Booster Vaccination Programme is available HERE

  10. HSS(MD) 29/2022 - 01.06.2022 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert: Antivirals or Neutralising Monoclonal Antibodies (nMABs) for Non Hospitalised Patients with COVID-19 is available HERE

  11. HSS(MD) 28/2022 - 01.06.2022 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert: Antivirals and Neutralising Monoclonal Antibodies (nMABs) in the Treatment of Hospital Onset COVID-19 is available HERE

  12. HSS(MD) 20/2022 - 11.05.2022 - COVID-19 Treatments for Non-Hospitalised Patients is available HERE

  13. HSS(MD) 17/2022 - 04.05.2022 - Updated COVID Testing and Isolation Guidance for Health and Social Care Workers and Guidance on Visitor Testing is available HERE

  14. HSS(MD) 16/2022 - 20.04.2022 - End of the 2021/22 Flu Season and Related Issues is available HERE

  15. HSS(MD) 9/2022 - 25.02.2022 - JCVI Update on Advice for Primary COVID-19 Vaccination of Children Aged 5 to 11 Years is available HERE

  16. HSS(MD) 01/2022 - 17.01.2022 - Management of Health and Social Care Staff who are Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 or who are Close Contacts of a Confirmed Case - Update on Guidance Contained in HSS 91 2021 HERE

  17. HSS(MD) 91/2021 - 31.12.2021 - Updated Policy for Management of Self-Isolation of Close Contacts of COVID-19 Cases is available HERE and information on Additional Safeguards for HSC Staff is available HERE

  18. HSS(MD) 89/2021 - 23.12.2021 - JCVI Update on Advice for COVID-19 Vaccination of Children and Young People is available HERE

  19. HSS(MD) 85/2021 - 21.12.2021 - Updated Policy for Management of Self-Isolation of Close Contacts of COVID-19 Cases - Additional Safeguards for HSC Staff is available HERE and Annex A - 21.12.2021 - Checklist for HSC Workers who are Close Contacts of COVID is available HERE

  20. HSS(MD) 84/2021 - 20.12.2021 - JCVI Advice that Pregnant Woman of Any Age Should be Considered as a Clinical Risk Group for Covid-19 HERE

  21. HSS(MD) 79/2021 - 07.12.2021 - JCVI Issues Advice on the Vaccine Response to the Omicron Variant HERE

  22. HSS(MD) 78/2021 - 29.11.2021 - Information on the Immediate Actions in Response to the newly identified SARS-COV-2 Variant is available HERE

  23. HSS(MD) 75/2021 - 14.11.2021 - Patients Requiring Astrazeneca Vaccine as a Booster is available HERE

  24. HSS(MD) 69/2021 - 29.09.2021 - COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Programme for Winter is available HERE

  25. HSS(MD) 67/2021 - 29.09.2021 - The use of Unlicensed Medicines in the Treatment of COVID-19 is available HERE

  26. HSS(MD) 66/2021 - 20.09.2021 - Advice on Third Primary Dose for Covid-19 Vaccination is available HERE

  27. HSS(MD) 64/2021 - 15.09.2021 - Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme 2021/22 is available HERE

  28. HSS(MD) 62/2021 - 27.08.2021 - Shingles Vaccination Programme - Eligibility Criteria for 2021/22 and introduction of Shingrix for Immunocompromised is available HERE

  29. HSS(MD) 59/2021 - 20.08.2021 - Policy Change for HSC Staff Advised to Isolate as a Close Contact is available HERE

  30. HSS(MD) 57/2021 - 09.08.2021 - Pause on Vaccination of Low Priority Groups and Change to the Ordering Process for Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine HERE

  31. HSS(MD) 47/2021 - 23.07.2021 - Personal Protective Equipment and Heat: Risk of Heat Stress is available HERE

  32. HSS(MD) 39/2021 - 10.06.2021 - Change of Dose Interval Between COVID-19 Vaccines is available HERE

  33. HSS(MD) 35/2021 - 07.05.2021 - Use of the Astrazeneca Vaccine: Advice on Updated JCVI Statement is available HERE

  34. HSS(MD) 34/2021 - 29.04.2021 - MHRA and JCVI Announcement regarding Astrazeneca Vaccine Updated Contraindications and Next Steps is available HERE

  35. HSS(MD) 15/2021 - 29.01.2021 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert - Antimicrobials (Azithromycin and Doxycycline) not Beneficial in the Management of COVID-19 - (SARS-CoV-2) Postitive Patients is available HERE

  36. HSS(MD) 13/2021 - 28.01.2021 - Updated Guidance on Timing of COVID-19 Vaccine Dosing Interval in Patients due to Receive Treatment with Immunosuppressants is available HERE

  37. HSS(MD) 4/2021 - 08.01.2021 - Timing of Interval between COVID-19 Vaccine Doses is available HERE

  38. HSS(MD) 92/2020 - 05.01.2021 - New Variant of SARS-COV-2 Virus in South Africa; Actions for the Health Service in Northern Ireland in available HERE

  39. HSS(MD) 94/2020 - 04.01.2021 - CMO Letters regarding the UK COVID-19 Vaccination programmes are available HERE and HERE.  A short statement from the JCVI about first dose prioritisation is also available HERE.  An extract from the CEM CMO 2020 / 044 Green Book is also available HERE

  40. HSS(MD) 93/2020 - 30.12.2020 - Deployment of the Astrazeneca COVID-19 Vaccine in Northern Ireland and Updated JCVI Advice on COVID-19 Vaccines is available HERE

  41. HSS(MD) 91/2020 - 23.12.2020 - COVID-19 Therapeutic Alert - Therapeutic Anti-Coagulation (Heparin) in the Management of Severe COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Positive Patients is available HERE

  42. HSS(MD) 84/2020 - 10.12.2020 - Pfizer Biontech COVID-19 Vaccine - Updated Guidance on Managing Allergic Reactions is available HERE

  43. HSS(MD) 82/2020 - 07.12.2020 - Deployment of the COVID-19 Vaccine in Northern Ireland is available HERE

  44. Letter to the Profession from the 4 UK CMO's - 04.12.2020 - RE: Winter Vaccines and Research is available HERE

  45. HSS(MD) 77/2020 - 17.11.2020 - Expression of Interest to all Registered Health Care Professionals to become Sessional Vaccinators to Help Implement the Forthcoming COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is available HERE

  46. HSS(MD) 70/2020 - 06.10.2020 - COVID-19 - Shielding Guidance for Children and Young People: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is available HERE

  47. HSS(MD) 67/2020 - 17.09.2020 - Minimising Risks of COVID-19 Outbreaks in Healthcare Settings is available HERE.

  48. HSS(MD) 26/2020 - 19.04.2020 - COVID-19 PPE Guidance Update  is available HERE

 

** Useful Links for Optometrists (should be reviewed regularly) **

  • Public Health Agency (PHA) - LINK

  • UK Government Response - LINK

  • PHE Guidance to health professionals - LINK

  • PHE guidance for primary care - LINK

  • Click HERE to access the College of Optometrists guidance for all home nations.

 

Optometry CPD and Training: Webinars and Events is available HERE

 

Key Information.

  1. Primary Care and Independent AHPs - LFT Briefing (06.12.2022) is available HERE

  2. Letter from Raymond Curran, HSCB - RE: Lateral Flow Testing for staff within Primary Care settings - confirmation of steps (11.05.2021) is available HERE

  3. PHE - COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidance (21.01.2021) is available HERE

  4. Letter to Community Optometrists RE: COVID Vaccination (11.01.2021) is available HERE

  5. Letter to Optometry Contractors RE: Eyecare Service Provision during current COVID-19 Restriction Period (08.01.2021) is available HERE

  6. Letter to Optometry Contractors RE: Vaccine Programme (07.01.2021) is available HERE

  7. Letter from HSCB - RE: COVID-19 Vaccination Programme for General Ophthalmic Services (10.12.2020) is available HERE 

  8. Letter from Dr Brid Farrell, PHA RE: COVID-19 Antibody Testing Study (03.12.2020) is available HERE

  9. Letter from HSCB - RE: Supporting Optical Professions throughout the Pandemic (27.11.2020) is available HERE

  10. RNIB and Guide Dogs launch guidance on Social Distancing for NI (20.08.2020) - Social Distancing Guidelines is available HERE and Guidance from RNIB and Guide Dogs on Social Distancing is available HERE

  11. For NI PEARS carried out from 29th June 2020 please see MOS 333 HERE 

  12. Recommended PPE Poster - Primary Outpatient & Community Care Settings is available HERE

  13. Optometrist Key worker confirmation is available HERE

  14. Letter to Ophthalmic Contractors RE: HSC Complaints during COVID-19 (26.03.2020) is available HERE

  15. COVID-19 Optometry Contractors_Patient Signature Guidance (20.03.2020) is available HERE

  16. COVID-19 Optometry Business Continuity Plan (March 2020) is available HERE