Administering medicines by injection
In recent years, the pharmacy profession has seen significant expansion in the range of medicines that pharmacists can administer by injection. The scope has broadened to encompass different age groups and medicines, via different routes of injection. PDL guide to support pharmacists in the preparation and delivery of medicines by injection PDL has released a […]
Another variant vaccine, another potential risk
With the availability of the latest Pfizer (COMIRNATY®) Omicron XBB.1.5 vaccine, indicated for 12 years and over, there may be potential for selection or administration error. This is due to the packaging of the vial appearing very similar to the previous Pfizer (COMIRNATY) Bivalent BA.4-5 and BA.1 vials for similar age groups (12 years and […]
A vaccination update
Each year pharmacies routinely see an increase in demand for vaccination services as winter approaches. The recent surge in demand for pharmacist-administered vaccines has also seen a rise in the number of vaccine-related calls and incidents reported to PDL. Commonly reported vaccination errors Administration of incorrect vaccine, e.g. high demand for influenza vaccines leading to […]
Resources for guidance on immunisation
The Pharmacy Stakeholder Forum is a joint initiative between the Pharmacy Council of NSW, the NSW Ministry of Health and other pharmacy organisations representing most NSW pharmacists. You may have seen the Forum communique sent to PDL members in October 2022. As mentioned in the communique, the purpose of the Forum is to: • monitor […]
COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccines – important update
The recent availability of the Moderna Spikevax Bivalent Booster Vaccine has seen a rise in the number of vaccine-related calls and incident reports to PDL. With the availability of the Pfizer Comirnaty Bivalent Booster Vaccine imminent, the PDL Professional Officers would like to remind pharmacists of the need to review all vaccination procedures before offering […]
Be alert with varicella vaccines
PDL has recently received several incident reports where the incorrect varicella vaccine has been prescribed and/or supplied. Prescribing software programs have variations on how the vaccines are described, potentially leading to confusion for prescribers and pharmacists. Most reports indicate the intended varicella vaccine is for the prevention of chickenpox however transcription and selection errors have […]
Vaccination reminder
The recent surge in demand for influenza vaccines has also seen a rise in the number of vaccine-related calls and incident reports to PDL. This increase may be associated with some pharmacists experiencing vaccination fatigue or making assumptions that past high numbers of this service mean that process review is unnecessary. Such conditions may increase […]
Vaccinating for winter
As winter approaches, pharmacies will be very busy providing vaccinations against influenza (flu) as well as administering COVID-19 fourth doses (winter doses) or boosters. As many brands of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines will be available, pharmacists should take extra care to ensure that the requested vaccine is provided. This can be achieved by consulting the […]
Moderna Spikevax vaccine approved for children 6-11 years
The ATAGI approval of Moderna Spikevax for the primary vaccination of children 6-11 years provides more options for families and pharmacists. Read the ATAGI statement. Key points include: There is NO paediatric formulation. It is the same Moderna Spikevax formulation used for patients 12 years and older. The dose is 50µg (0.25ml) for children 6-11 […]
Prepare for another vaccine in the pharmacy
The approval of the Pfizer Comirnaty Orange Cap (5-11 years) COVID-19 vaccine to be administered by pharmacists from 10 January 2022 offers opportunities and challenges for pharmacists. PDL encourages pharmacists to prepare for this service now and consider the following to minimise risk. Preparation and administration key points Comirnaty (Orange Cap) is a specifically formulated paediatric vaccine provisionally approved by TGA in the 5–11-year-old age range. Comirnaty (Orange Cap) is the […]
