The IPS Ambulance and Pre-hospital Care Special Interest Group will host its annual EMS influenza update, providing a concise overview of the key issues for the 2026/27 influenza season. This 30-minute session will review the latest epidemiological picture, important changes to the vaccination programme, and the practical implications for ambulance and pre-hospital services.
The session will focus on infection prevention and control in the out-of-hospital environment, including source control, PPE and respiratory protection, ventilation, aerosol-generating procedures, environmental and equipment decontamination, and communication with receiving healthcare services. It will also consider workforce protection, staff vaccination and the contribution of effective IPC measures to maintaining operational resilience during periods of increased influenza activity.
Designed specifically for an ambulance and emergency medical services audience, the session will provide a focused and practical update on what teams need to know as the 2026/27 influenza season develops.