Injecting confidence: anticipating and reducing the risks of childhood immunisation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to assess important changes made to the vaccines used for childhood and adolescent immunisation in August 2004. These changes resulted in a number of patient safety incidents.

Design/methodology/approach

The changes are reviewed for the way that risk assessment and risk management were used in their development. An analysis of recent claims and complaints handled by the Medical Protection Society is then used to broaden the debate.

Findings

The August 2004 changes to the childhood vaccination programme contained unnecessary and avoidable risks of patient safety incidents, which could have been avoided if existing advice had been followed. Errors continue to be seen in the administration of childhood immunisation in primary care. These are driven both by systems and human factors.

Practical implications

This paper will be of use to those working in primary care who wish to ensure that childhood and adolescent immunisations are carried out correctly.

Originality/value

The paper highlights risk‐management issues that are relevant to childhood and adolescent immunisation.

Citation

Cowan, J. and Haslam, J. (2005), "Injecting confidence: anticipating and reducing the risks of childhood immunisation", Clinical Governance: An International Journal, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 331-336. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777270510629381