Vaccination Services Update

Autumn/Winter Vaccination Programme Update

HSE Circular Autumn/Winter Vaccination Programme

The HSE has issued pharmacy circular NCO-20-2025, which contains information in relation to the Autumn/Winter Vaccination Programme 2025/2026, including:

• Recommended vaccines, availability and ordering;
• Eligible and recommended groups;
• The LAIV (Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine) Primary Schools Programme; and
• Resources.

 

Guidance and Resources

The following guidance has been updated:

• NIAC Immunisation Guidelines Chapter 5a COVID-19;
• NIAC Immunisation Chapter 11 Influenza;
• HSE Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination; and
• National COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccination Programme Operational Guidance for Community Pharmacy.

 

Additional clinical materials, such as HSE consent and medical eligibility forms, are in the process of being finalised by the HSE and will be available on the NIO Vaccine Information for Healthcare Professionals.

The PSI guidance documents relating to the provision of vaccination services by Pharmacists are also being updated and will be made available shortly.

The HSE Vaccination Primary Care Contractors webpage contains operational information pertaining to the national vaccination programmes, including Pharmacy Support Contact Details and guidance notes.

 

Training

Please ensure that your training is up to date. Training requirements have been updated this year, and you will find more information on the PSI website here. Key updates relate to the validity of PAMT. Pharmacists are asked to reflect, self-assess and to evaluate whether they need to refresh their training in this programme, in order to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely deliver the associated medicines or vaccination service. The PSI requires that this training programme is repeated in circumstances where a pharmacist has had a two-year break in vaccination practice or longer.

Additionally, vaccine specific training on the administration of vaccines is no longer mandatory but remains recommended. Guidance from the PSI now advises that pharmacists are required to have up to date knowledge on any vaccine which is administered and can meet the training requirements in this regard by completing the specific training modules where available, and/or through review of, or having up-to-date knowledge in the relevant National Immunisation guidelines for Ireland, the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) for the vaccine and HSE guidance (where applicable).

To assist you with identifying your training requirements for the supply and administration of vaccinations the IIOP has developed a Vaccination Training Identification Tool.

The administration of influenza vaccine training programme for the 2025/26 season is available on the IIOP website.

 

Statutory Instrument

The COVID-19 vaccine available for those aged 12 years and older during the Autumn/Winter Vaccination Programme is Comirnaty LP.8.1 30 micrograms. A Statutory Instrument (S.I.) is needed prior to pharmacists administering this vaccine. The S.I. is not yet in place, but it is expected to be signed into law shortly.

 

LAIV Primary Schools Programme

Community pharmacists can still engage with primary schools in relation to the provision of the nasal spray flu vaccine for children in the school setting. The IPU has two template letters available to support your contact with the schools. The template letters and other resources relating to the LAIV programme are available on the IPU LAIV Vaccination Hub which has been recently developed.

 

IPU NIO Autumn/Winter Vaccination Programme 2025/2026 Webinar

The IPU, in collaboration with the HSE National Immunisation Office (NIO), is hosting a webinar on the Autumn/Winter Vaccination Programme 2025/2026. The webinar will provide a topline overview of the upcoming programme and will take place on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

Dr Louise Marron, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE NIO, will explain to participants certain clinical considerations for the upcoming vaccination season. Ms Susan O’Donnell, Professional Services Pharmacist at the IPU, will outline key operational aspects.

At the end of the webinar, participants should be able to:

• Understand certain clinical considerations;
• Identify steps which should be undertaken when planning and delivering an LAIV Primary Schools Vaccination Service;
• Locate all relevant materials, including communications materials; and
• Describe how to utilise HSE PharmaVax when providing a vaccination clinic offsite.

 

You can register for the webinar here.

A recording of the webinar will be made available to view on the IPU website in due course.

 

IPU Support

The IPU will issue support documentation, including SOP templates, once the HSE, NIO and the PSI have published their updated guidance. An IPU consent form will be made available to support members delivering a private influenza vaccination service.

We will continue to provide updates via the news section of the IPU website, the weekly Newsletter, IPU COVID-19 Vaccination Hub, IPU Flu Vaccination Hub and IPU LAIV Vaccination Hub. You can also contact the IPU Professional Services team on pharmacists@ipu.ie for any queries or if you require support in relation to vaccination services.