Vaccination Update

Flu/COVID-19 HSE Pharmacy Finder and Vaccination Ordering
To support members of the public in finding vaccination clinics in their locality it is important that pharmacies providing vaccination services are listed on the HSE Pharmacy Finder. The HSE Pharmacy Finder is widely used by the public and had 187,910 unique page views during last year’s flu vaccination season (October 2022- March 2023). Therefore, it is important to keep this listing up-to-date and accurate.

The Pharmacy Service Listing form to add/update the pharmacy details is available here.

Please review and update your details on the new amalgamated Flu/COVID-19 HSE Finder in advance of the autumn/winter campaign commencing in October.

 

Vaccination Ordering
The NIO issued a letter to pharmacists through the NCCS regarding the COVID-19 Autumn Vaccine Programme 2023-24. As noted within this letter pharmacies are now able to order the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty® Omicron XBB1.5 30mcg which has been prioritised for the upcoming autumn booster programme through the NCCS website.

The first cycle of deliveries for QIV and Comirnaty ®Omicron XBB1.5 30mcg will be made between 18 and 29 September. You must ensure an order is placed before the cut-off time on your delivery calendar as emergency deliveries cannot be facilitated.

 

Training and Guidance

The PSI has approved the NIO training ‘New mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Formulations’ in respect of Comirnaty® Omicron XBB.1.5 30mcg. Pharmacists must complete the updated training module prior to administering Comirnaty® Omicron XBB1.5 30mcg as part of the autumn booster programme. We will notify members as soon as this updated training is available on HSeLanD.

 

The PSI is reviewing the following guidance:

  • Guidance on the Provision of Vaccination Services by Pharmacists in Retail Pharmacy Businesses;
  • Guidance on the Provision of an Influenza Vaccination Service for Children Aged 6 Months and Older;
  • Guidance to support pharmacies in providing safe vaccination services offsite from the pharmacy premises; and
  • Practical Guidance when Providing a Pharmacy Vaccination Service During COVID-19.

We expect this guidance to be updated shortly. The PSI will communicate directly with registrants when they become available.

A Statutory Instrument is needed prior to pharmacists administering Comirnaty® Omicron XBB1.5 30mcg as a COVID-19 booster vaccine. This is not currently in place, but it is expected within the coming days.
The HSE is currently reviewing documents that are used within the COVID-19 national programme. As a result, we expect the following documentation to be updated prior to the autumn booster programme commencing:

  • The Operational Guidance for Vaccination in Community Pharmacy mRNA Vaccines;
  • Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination; and
  • NIAC Immunisation Guidelines- Chapter 05a COVID-19.

We will update members as soon as there is any communication relating to any of these matters.