28 june 2024
Our eHealth team advised us yesterday of an international vulnerability relating to polyfill.io . This domain has become compromised and is spreading malware through a widespread supply chain attack, estimated to affect over 110,000 websites including major websites such as the BBC. The Polyfill site offered widely used bits of code for older browsers that allowed the use of modern Javascript features. Such code makes the work for web developers easier and allows compatibility with a broader range of browsers.
Websites that have used the Javascript code from Polyfill have been urged to remove such code immediately. The change occurred after a suspected Chinese firm purchased the domain in early 2024.
Tactuum have identified and are now testing a fix to remove all Polyfill code from the RDS site.. They will be deploying the fix on Monday 1 July along with other planned fixes and amendments. I will notify you of the timing of the deployment as soon as possible.
In the meantime, please ensure that you have up-to-date anti-virus software installed on your machines and personal devices.
The 
Department for Health allows schools to purchase spare, back-up AAI’s for use on pupils who have been deemed at risk of anaphylaxis and have medical authorisation and parental consent for use. This acts as a back-up safety measure, ensuring that emergency medication will be available if needed. Although schools are encouraged to take on this initiative, they are not required to store spare, back-up AAI’s.
AAI’s are available in different doses, depending on the manufacturer: The Resuscitation Council (UK) recommends that healthcare professionals treat anaphylaxis using the age-based criteria as follows:
|
Age |
Brand of AAI |
||
|
|
Epipen |
Jext |
Emerade |
|
Under 6 years |
0.15 mg |
0.15 mg |
0.15 mg* |
|
6-12 years |
0.3 mg |
0.3 mg |
0.3 mg |
|
12+ years |
0.3 mg |
0.3 mg |
0.3 mg or 0.5 mg** |
*Product not available, see BNFc important Safety Information
** If > 60 kg; if small or pre-pubertal offer 0.3 mg
It is a matter for schools to decide the brand and quantity of AAI to order. Some have a longer expiry date and schools may wish to take this into consideration. It is recommended schools purchase the brand of AAI that is most commonly prescribed to its pupils. Schools may need to purchase two 0.15 mg dose AAI and two 0.3mg dose AAI based on the age of registered pupils with allergy. The decision as to how many devices and brands to purchase will depend on local circumstances and is left to the discretion of the school. Some schools may wish to seek appropriate medical advice when deciding which AAI device (s) are most appropriate.
For further advice, refer to the Scottish Government guidance here, the Department for Health guidance here and Spare pens in schools here.
The Spare, back-up AAI is to be used when the pupil’s own device is not available e.g. due to being:
Expired
Broken
Misfired or injected incorrectly
Forgotten
They also act as a back-up in cases where a second dose of adrenaline is required but the pupil has only one AAI available.
Spare, back-up AAI’s can be purchased by sending an order form to pharmacies. Currently there are no funding arrangements in place, so schools are required to purchase the spare, back-up AAI as a retail item.
Pricing information can be found here.
More information on purchasing devices from pharmacies can be found here.
The form for ordering spare AAI’s from pharmacies can be downloaded here.
School allergy care