Autumn Winter Vaccination Campaign Launched
The Autumn Winter Vaccination Campaign officially launched to the public on 2 October. The HSE has issued Circular NCO-37-2023 which, together with NCO-34-2023outlines some key information in relation to the campaign.
We have already seen great engagement in the campaign from pharmacies throughout the country with a large number of sites now up and running and vaccinating patients. We will continue to provide updates via the news section of the IPU website, the weekly Newsletter and via our Flu and COVID-19 Vaccination Hubs. You can also contact the IPU Professional Services team should you have any queries/require support in relation to vaccination services.
COVID-19 Vaccination Intervals
For all those eligible, an Autumn 2023 COVID-19 booster vaccine dose is recommended irrespective of the number of previous booster doses or types of COVID-19 vaccines received.
Table 5a.1 of Chapter 5a COVID-19 of the National Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland outlines the recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines by age and immune status. The recommended inter-dose intervals are outlined in this table. In relation to the timing between booster doses it is noted that in exceptional circumstances a minimum interval of three months since last booster dose or SARS-CoV-2 infection can be used. The minimum interval of at least three months can be used for operational reasons and the National Immunisation Office (NIO) have confirmed that it may be used where there is a need to provide early protection, or to facilitate co-administration with influenza vaccine (Ref: NIO Immunisation Bulletin 67).
NIO reference Table of Recommended Groups for COVID-19 Autumn Booster and Flu Vaccine
The NIO have published a reference table of recommended groups for COVID-19 Autumn Booster and Flu Vaccine. This is a document which combines the recommendations for vaccination for the current COVID-19 Autumn Winter Booster Programme and the Seasonal Influenza Campaign. It is available here and on the IPU Vaccination Hubs.
NIO Immunisation Bulletin
The NIO have published Immunisation Bulletin 67. This edition covers the following topics:
- NIAC recommendations regarding Autumn 2023 COVID-19 booster vaccines;
- COVID-19 vaccine recommended for the Autumn 2023 COVID-19 booster;
- Information relating to VidPrevtyn Beta;
- NIAC recommendations for COVID-19 booster vaccination in pregnancy; and
- New eligibility criteria for the Laura Brennan HPV Catch-up Vaccination Programme.
Vaccination Primary Care Contractors Webpage
The HSE Vaccination Primary Care Contractors (VPCC) team co-ordinate the national COVID-19 and influenza vaccination service and provide relationship management support to Community Pharmacists involved in these vaccination programmes. They have launched a new webpage which is available here. This page contains operational information for primary care contractors, including pharmacists, participating in the national COVID-19 and influenza vaccination programmes.
Information on the webpage includes:
- An updated version of the Operational Guidance for Vaccination in Community Pharmacies mRNA Vaccines (also available on the IPU COVID-19 Vaccination Hub);
- Referral pathways for housebound patients; and
- Links to relevant pages (such as the NIO, Contracts Office, PCRS), Pharmacy finder details and general details regarding the national vaccination programmes.
The VPCC are working to improve their service, and welcome any feedback or comments which can be sent to Vaccinations.PrimaryCareContractors@hse.ie.
HSE PharmaVax Immunocompromised Added as a Risk Factor for Flu
HSE PharmaVax has been updated to allow the selection of immunocompromised as a risk factor for both flu and pneumococcal vaccination. Please note this is labelled as ‘immunosupressed’ on HSE PharmaVax.
HSE PharmaVax Immunocompromised Status for COVID-19 Vaccinations
To support with reviewing and updating the immunocompromised status of each patient on each COVID-19 vaccine administration HSE PharmaVax is being updated to include an additional mandatory field entitled ‘Immunocompromised (IC) Assessment’. Detailed guidance on how to conduct and record such an assessment has been circulated by the HSE and is also available on the IPU COVID-19 Vaccination hub.
HSE Text Messages
The HSE are issuing text messages advising healthcare workers to avail of a COVID-19 autumn booster vaccination, where appropriate. The message includes a link to a webpage providing an overview of COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinics for HSE staff. Healthcare workers can also avail of a COVID-19 autumn booster and flu vaccination from their community pharmacy or GP surgery.
Flu Vaccine for Those Aged 13-17 Years and Not in an At-risk Group
If a child presents for flu vaccination and they are aged 13-17 years of age and not in an at-risk group then they are not covered under the national immunisation scheme and thus become private patients. The nasal flu vaccine is the vaccine that is recommended for the 13-17 age group (Ref: National Immunisation Guidelines Chapter 11) but it is not available privately in Ireland. QIV is licensed for the 13-17 year age group in Ireland. Therefore, the choice is to have a private QIV vaccine administered (unless contraindicated) or not to be vaccinated. Pharmacists should discuss the above considerations with the patient in order to come to a decision on proceeding with a private vaccination.
We are aware there is discrepancy between the risk factors identified for those aged 13-17 years in health care professional materials such as the table for recommended groups for COVID-19 Autumn Booster and Flu Vaccination and Influenza FAQs 2023/24 and patient facing materials such as the Childrens Flu Vaccine Leaflet. We are working with the NIO to resolve this issue.
