Vaccination Services

Suitably trained pharmacists in Ireland can supply and administer influenza, pneumococcal polysaccharide, herpes zoster (shingles) and COVID-19 vaccines. Information on the training requirements that pharmacists must complete before providing vaccinations can be found on the PSI website: Vaccinations Training.

The training programmes you will have to complete will depend on what services you wish to provide. You will receive a certificate of completion once you complete each training programme.

In order to supply and administer any vaccine, pharmacists must first undertake training in the following programmes:

1. CPR for adults and children
2. Responding to an Emergency Situation and Management of Anaphylaxis (RESMA)
3. Medicines Administration (Parenteral) (PAMT)
4. Delivery of a Pharmacy-Based Vaccination Service

Pharmacists are also 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).

The PSI have developed vaccination guidance documents for pharmacists, which you can access on their website: PSI Vaccination Services Guidance.

Information can also be found on the IIOP website: Vaccinations Training. (Please note - access to this section of the IIOP website is only available to pharmacists registered in Ireland).

Emergency Medicines

Pharmacists who have completed the required training, are permitted to administer five medicines for the purpose of saving life or reducing severe distress in certain emergency situations:

• Anaphylaxis (Adrenaline)
• Asthma Attack (Salbutamol Inhaler)
• Hypoglycaemia (Glucagon Injection),
• Angina Attack (Glyceryl Trinitrate Aerosol)
• Opioid Overdose (Naloxone)