Recording COVID-19 vaccinations administered overseas

A new service will be launched in December 2021 to capture evidence of COVID-19 vaccinations administered in countries other than England, Scotland and Wales and have these recorded in the National Immunisation Management System (NIMS), the central database for vaccine information.

Closed pilots have been running at selected vaccination centre sites across England to test the service.

The pilot involves eligible users being invited to book a special appointment to have their record updated if they have received one of the four MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) approved vaccine types:

• Astra Zeneca (Vaxzevria)
• Pfizer (Comirnaty)
• Janssen
• Moderna (Spikevax)

A national rollout involving more vaccination centre sites in each region will follow, alongside further details on specific locations, what is required as evidence to have overseas vaccines checked and recorded, and how to use the service.

The service should ensure that a larger number of records are updated without a need for GP involvement.