HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
International Health Regulations 2005, Designation of Yellow Fever Centres – devolving the administration of Yellow Fever Centre designation to the Jersey Care Commission
- Background
The International Health Regulations (IHR) adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1969 were formulated to help prevent the international spread of disease, and in the context of international travel, to do so with the minimum of inconvenience to the passenger. The Regulations were designed primarily as a public health measure for the receiving country rather than for the protection of the individual. The World Health Organisation approved the revised edition of the IHR in May 2005.
Yellow fever is currently the only disease for which an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) may be required for entry into a country. Yellow fever vaccine can only be administered at centres that are designated by the national health administration. The requirement for designating centres is to ensure the ‘quality and safety of the procedures and materials employed’[i].
In England and Wales, the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) is commissioned by the Department of Health to administer Yellow Fever Centre designation. In Scotland this responsibility is devolved to Health Protection Scotland.
- Administration and oversight of Yellow Fever Centre designation in Jersey
There are currently ten designated centres in Jersey monitored to ensure they meet the WHO and International Health Regulations requirements. They are all located in General Practice and are:
Dr M Winspear Castle Quay Medical Practice La Rue de L’Eau, St Helier, JE2 3EH |
Dr M Wilson Lister House Surgery, The Parade St Helier, JE2 3QQ |
Dr D Balbes Indigo House, 2 – 8 Oxford Road St Helier, JE1 4HB |
Dr D Balbes Indigo Medical, Little Grove Clinic La Rue de Haut St Lawrence, JE3 1JZ |
Dr C Cook & Partners Island Medical Practice, 14 Gloucester Street St Helier, JE2 3QR |
Dr S Ryan Route du Fort Surgery, Suite 2.2 Lido Medical Centre St Saviour’s Road, St Saviour, JE2 7LA |
Dr R Worth Health Plus Health Centre, Queens Road St Helier, JE2 4HY |
Dr L Guise Lido Medical Centre, St Saviours Road St Saviour, JE1 4HB |
Dr H Juchniewicz Cleveland Clinic, 12 Cleveland Road St Helier, JE1 4HD |
Dr B Ellis & Partners Cooperative Medical, Bath Street Medical Centre 87-91 Bath Street St Helier, JE24SU |
Only these designated practices are permitted to give Yellow Fever vaccinations in Jersey and issue a vaccination certificate.
The administration of Yellow Fever Centre designation was carried out on behalf of the Minister for Health and Social Services by the Professional and Care Regulation Team, originally in the Public Health Directorate and latterly in Community and Constitutional Affairs (now Strategic Policy, Performance and Population).
In January 2019, the Professional and Care Regulation Team transferred to the Jersey Care Commission when it became fully established following the implementation of the Regulation of Care (Jersey) Law 2014. At the same time, a number of other regulatory functions, under Jersey legislation, were transferred to the Commission. The authority to designate Yellow Fever Centres was not transferred by Regulation – as this sits under international rather than local legislation.
The Care Commission has staff with the experience, skills and knowledge to undertake the necessary work and, as the independent regulator of health and social care, is an appropriate body to administer the designation of Yellow Fever Centres in Jersey.
- Recommendation
The Minister is recommended to:
1) Authorise the Jersey Care Commission to administer and monitor the designation of Yellow Fever Centres and ensure that these comply with the requirements set out under the International Health Regulations 2005.
2) Require the Jersey Care Commission to provide the Minister with a report annually on the number and location of designated centres, the number of inspections undertaken and the number of vaccines administered.
3) Require the Jersey Care Commission to advise the Minister of any issues of concern that arise in relation to any Designated Yellow Fever Centre.