Frequently Asked Questions

Seasonal Influenza vaccination

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• What must I do in the event of a fridge failure?

  
  
  The procedure to be followed following breakdown in the ‘cold chain’ is set out in the HSE Guidelines for maintenance of cold-chain in vaccine fridges and management of vaccine stock. In addition, the following resources may be helpful:

  • Recommendations for maintenance of Vaccine Fridge within Temperature during a Planned Power-cut
  • Vaccine Ordering and Storage
  • 30 minute e-learning module Storing and Managing Vaccines available on www.hseland.ie

• Can a nurse administer vaccinations on behalf of a pharmacist in a retail pharmacy business premises?

  
  

  No. Under Regulation 4B of the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003 (as amended) the authority to supply and administer a vaccine in a retail pharmacy business, without a prescription, is solely vested to an appropriately trained registered pharmacist.

• How do I register my pharmacy with the National Cold Chain Service to order vaccines?

  
  

  Information is provided by the HSE about the National Cold Chain Service.

• Am I allowed to advertise vaccination services in my pharmacy?

  
  A pharmacy may highlight the availability of a vaccination service provided by that pharmacy, to their patients and members of the public. This can include the display of factual information in relation to the pharmacy vaccination service. It must not include the brand name of a specific vaccine.
  
  All vaccines are licensed as prescription-only medicines and the advertising of prescription-only medicines to the general public is not permitted by the Medicinal Products (Control of Advertising) Regulations 2007.
  

• Can I deliver a vaccination service on my pharmacy premises, outside the trading hours of the pharmacy that I have notified to the PSI?

  Yes. Pharmacies can provide a vaccination service at the registered pharmacy premises, outside of the normal opening hours, provided a registered pharmacist is present on site at all times. Pharmacy owners and superintendent pharmacists planning a vaccination service outside the normal opening hours of the pharmacy should ensure appropriate security is in place to safeguard their staff members and ensure patients and members of the public do not have access to the dispensary or other areas that medicines are kept.

• How do I go about adding a second patient consultation area to the floor plans of my pharmacy in anticipation of increased vaccination service delivery this year?

  If you wish to add a second patient consultation area to your pharmacy floor plan, you can send the PSI a copy of the updated floor plans in advance of commencing any works, outlining the changes that are to be made to the original floor plan. Pharmacies can make certain changes to their registration details using the online registration portal.
  
  We will review these floorplans on a case-by-case basis and advise if it will be necessary to complete a Material Change Form and/or pay an associated fee. However, the need to add an additional consultation area should be considered in light of changes to legislation which allow pharmacists to deliver certain vaccination services (COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines) at locations offsite from the registered pharmacy premises (see below).

• Can I deliver influenza vaccination services at locations offsite from the registered pharmacy premises?

  Yes. In October 2020, legislation was amended to permit appropriately trained pharmacists to supply and administer the influenza vaccine at any suitable and appropriate place (i.e., within or offsite from the retail pharmacy business premises) having regard to public convenience and the need to protect the health and safety of the public. This includes the influenza vaccine suspension for injection presented as a pre-filled syringe, and the influenza vaccine nasal spray, suspension.

  
  

  Any influenza vaccination service provided offsite under this legislation must be carried out in connection with a named registered retail pharmacy business, in which the vaccinating pharmacist is employed or engaged. The PSI has published guidance to support this practice extension.
  

  
  

  Legislation permits an appropriately trained pharmacist to supply and administer the influenza vaccine suspension for injection presented as a pre-filled syringe and the influenza vaccine nasal spray, suspension, at any suitable and appropriate place (i.e., within or offsite from the retail pharmacy business premises) having regard to public convenience and the need to protect the health and safety of the public. 

  
  

  Your choice of location should include a risk assessment to assure patient safety and the same high standard of care as would be provided on the pharmacy premises. Whether delivery of an influenza vaccination to a patient in an off-site location is , suitable and appropriate will, depend on a number of considerations. 

  
  

  We have published guidance to help you in considering what types of location are appropriate, and to support pharmacies in providing safe influenza vaccination services offsite from the pharmacy premises. There are a number of checklists included in the guidance and key points for consideration. Current PSI guidance which supports the provision of a pharmacy vaccination service in the pharmacy will still apply and must be read and adapted to the chosen setting. 

  
  

  Patients should have advance notice of the location and nature of the off-site vaccination site. As is the case with all vaccination services, both the patient and pharmacist should be satisfied that the given setting is appropriate for the individual patient.

• Can a pharmacy student supply and administer vaccinations to patients on behalf of a pharmacist in a retail pharmacy business?

  
  

  No. While legislation has been introduced to enable administration of COVID-19 vaccinations and Influenza vaccinations by students of health professions, including students undertaking a master’s degree in pharmacy, this applies to administration of vaccinations by vaccinators employed by the HSE. These services operate under the management and governance of the HSE.