Vaccination checklist for pharmacist immunisers

A registered pharmacist immuniser must comply with clause 48A of the NSW Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008open_in_new, which prescribes rules for:

• training
• recording each vaccination, and
• adhering to the NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards.

Pharmacists should adopt and follow the PSA Immunisation Guidelines and/or Pharmacy Guild Immunisation Guidelines.

The pharmacist immuniser must:

• complete a training course that is accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council
• hold a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate (renewed annually) and current first aid certificate (renewed every 3 years) — there is no grace period if expired
• annually review best practice and ensure their competence for each vaccine they administer
• successfully complete core COVID-19 training modules, and relevant specific additional COVID-19 vaccine training modules for all COVID-19 vaccines administered
• successfully complete a Japanese encephalitis (JE) training module prior to administering a JE vaccine.

An intern pharmacist must meet the same training requirements as a pharmacist immuniser and is only able to administer vaccines under the direct supervision of a pharmacist immuniser who holds certification to vaccinate for the relevant vaccine.

The room must:

• not be used as a dispensary, storeroom, staff room or retail area
• provide adequate privacy, lighting and a comfortable ambient temperature
• have a hand sanitisation facility and access to a hand washing facility
• have sufficient floor area to accommodate two people and the pharmacist immuniser
• have sufficient bench space, a chair and first aid couch (or similar).

Note: pharmacists can administer vaccines in healthcare, suitable retail, community, residential, workplace, and education settings provided that all conditions of the Standard are met.

• The Australian Immunisation Handbookopen_in_new
• National Vaccine Storage Guidelines ‘Strive for 5’open_in_new
• TGA-approved product information for each vaccine administered
• ATAGI recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines
• A temperature-monitored vaccine refrigerator
• All necessary consumables
• A sharps container to dispose of clinical waste, e.g. used syringes and needles
• Complete, in-date anaphylaxis response kit
• Emergency response protocol
• Process to monitor online updates.

Pharmacists should refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook, ATAGI recommendations and TGA-approved product information to:

• complete pre- and post-vaccination assessments and determine vaccine eligibility
• obtain informed written or documented verbal consent, with COVID-19 vaccines requiring written or electronic consent (retain for 7 years)
• advise patients how to access funded vaccines
• take medical and allergy history
• refer patients with contraindications and precautions (except for COVID-19 vaccination for a person on anti-coagulation therapy, or an eligible pregnant woman)
• refer travellers that meet any of the criteria on the NSW Health Referral Checklist to a GP or travel medicine practitioner
• confirm the vaccine the patient is intending to have administered, using open-ended questions.

The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)open_in_new must be checked prior to administration, and all vaccines administered must be uploaded to AIR within 24 hours.

• Pharmacist immunisers must make a record compliant with clause 48A of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008.
• GuildCare and MedAdvisor are compliant electronic systems for recording vaccination.

Patients should be observed for 15 minutes with an appropriately trained person present. Post-vaccination care and advice should be provided, and any adverse events or anaphylaxis managed.