FAQs on COVID-19 vaccine training for the initial roll-out phase

Please click on the FAQs below

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• How are pharmacists authorised to supply and administer COVID-19 vaccines?

  
  

  The Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No.7) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 698 of 2020) were made on 24 December 2020 and allow a registered pharmacist to supply and administer a COVID-19 vaccine where he/she has received training approved by the PSI. Currently the PSI has approved for pharmacists the HSE National Immunisation Office (NIO) training, which is for experienced vaccinators, and who wish to participate in the national COVID-19 vaccination programme to deliver the Cominarty/ Pfizer BioNTech and the Moderna vaccines, in vaccination centres within the structure of a vaccination team.

• What training has been approved by the PSI?

  
  
  The current NIO training for COVID-19 vaccines on HSELanD is for vaccinators who are trained and competent in immunisation practice. It has been approved by the PSI on that basis, for pharmacists supplying and administering the Comirnaty/ Pfizer BioNtech and the Moderna vaccines at mass vaccination centres and as part of a vaccination team.
  
  We know that there is significant interest amongst pharmacists who wish to participate in and contribute to the roll out of the COVID-19 national vaccination plan. We are now actively engaging with the HSE including the NIO to examine ways to facilitate pharmacists who have never vaccinated patients before, and pharmacists who may not have participated in the 2020/2021 influenza vaccination season or vaccinated in the last 12 months, to be able to safely participate in COVID-19 vaccination roll out.
  
  The PSI will circulate information on all further developments as soon as this becomes available.

• How do I access the approved training?

  
  

  The NIO training is available through the HSELanD- the Health Service Executive's online learning and development portal.

  
  

  The HSE have developed this guide for community pharmacists to access HSELanD training.

  
  

  The HSELanD support desk an be accessed by email: support@hseland.ie, or by phone: 048 90640445

• What is an “experienced vaccinator” in this context?

  
  
  The NIO training is for all healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, who are experienced vaccinators. Experienced vaccinators in this context are pharmacists who have participated in the 2020/2021 flu vaccination season and vaccinated patients in the last twelve months. Experienced vaccinators must also be up-to-date in CPR training, Responding to an Emergency Situation and Management of Anaphylaxis (RESMA) and Delivery of a Vaccination Service training programmes. You can check the period of validity for these training programmes on the PSI website.

• What other training do I need?

  
  
  Experienced vaccinators must also be up-to-date in CPR training, Responding to an Emergency Situation and Management of Anaphylaxis (RESMA) and delivery of a vaccination service training programmes. You can check the period of validity for these training programmes on the PSI website.

  
  

• What if I’m not a “experienced vaccinator” (i.e., I’ve never vaccinated before, or I haven’t vaccinated in the last 12 months ), and I want to become a vaccinator for the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out?

  
  

  If you are not an experienced vaccinator, the NIO training, does not at this point, approve you to provide COVID-19 vaccinations.

  
  

  However, if you wish to prepare to participate in later stages of the vaccination programme, including at community pharmacy level, you can take a number of steps:

  • You must complete the following training programmes: CPR, RESMA, PAMT, delivery of a vaccination service. Further information on how to access this training is available on the PSI website
  • Wait for notification from the PSI that further approved training is available through HSELanD and then complete that training.

• How can I participate in the national COVID-19 vaccination programme?

  
  
  The national COVID-19 vaccination strategy and implementation plan has been published by Government and is currently being implemented by the HSE. This plan is being rolled out at a national level and on a phased basis. The implementation of the vaccination plan including the roll out to the priority groups is an operational matter for the HSE and is outside the responsibility of the PSI.
  
  If you are interested in becoming involved, you need to contact your local HSE primary care pharmacist.
  
  
  
  Figure 1: National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme: Implementation Plan; How the Vaccination Programme will work.

  
  

• To be involved in the mass vaccination clinics, what training do I need to complete?

  See question 2, above.

• What about COVID-19 vaccination in community pharmacies?

  
  

  In anticipation of the next phases of the national vaccination programme, including preparing for vaccination in community pharmacies, the PSI is participating in a Working Group with the HSE and IPU. This Group is working to ensure safe and effective roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination services through community pharmacies. As the national COVID-19 Vaccination Programme is rolled-out further, and as additional COVID-19 Vaccines become available for use, the PSI will assess and approve further training for pharmacists as appropriate and for particular settings. We will circulate further information on these further developments as this becomes available.

• Where can I find information about COVID-19 vaccines?

  • HSE website
  • HPRA website
  • IIOP COVID-19 Hub
  • IIOP webinars