The body responsible for the regulation of pharmacy services has said it is satisfied pharmacists can continue to provide vaccinations to patients after it emerged yesterday there were errors in flu vaccinations given to some 489 patients.
Some adult patients were given a paediatric dose of the flu vaccine due to errors in a training programme provided to pharmacists.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) today published an interim report provided to the Department of Health and the HSE. Minister for Health James Reilly was also given the report today.
Hibernian Healthcare, the company tasked with training pharmacists to deliver the vaccination, yesterday confirmed the issue arose from an error in its training programme.
It said it had issued the correct dosage information to pharmacists who attended its training programme and was contacting them individually to ascertain how many patients may have received the small dose.
The PSI report published today says that as of 8pm yesterday evening, Hibernian had identified 75 pharmacists - out of 835 contacted - who had used the incorrect injection technique and had administered an inadequate does of the vaccine to 489 patients.
Some 1,600 pharmacists completed the training programme.
The society said that from the information available, it appeared that in a number of cases the mark on the vaccine barrel indicating the paediatric dosing line was incorrectly interpreted as referring to the adult dose.
Some patients were therefore administered a dose of 0.25ml instead of 0.5ml.
Each pharmacy is required to keep detailed records of the administration of flu vaccine, which will help with the identification of the affected patients, the society said.
In a statement, the society said it was satisfied “there will be full compliance by pharmacists with its guidance in relation to the provision of vaccination services in pharmacies and that the error which led to the underdosing of some patients is being dealt with.
“The PSI has engaged with members of the profession and their representative body who have assured the PSI that they will fully co-operate and comply with PSI guidance.”
In light of this assurance, the society was satisfied pharmacies could continue to provide these services to patients, and that the public could have confidence in the vaccination services being provided by pharmacists and pharmacies.
“The PSI will continue to work with the profession and the relevant educational and training organisations to ensure that all matters are rectified in the interests of patients and the public.”
The HSE has said that while there are no safety issues for patients who have received the inadequate dose, those patients who are inadequately vaccinated should be revaccinated as soon as possible.
The PSI has placed a public notice on its website advising members of the public to contact their pharmacy if they have concerns about their vaccination. It said it had a “robust system of audit and inspection” and would focus this activity to ensure that any vaccination services wer carried out in full compliance with PSI guidance and all relevant legislation.
It will also meet Hibernian Healthcare, the Irish Pharmacy Union and the School of Pharmacy in Trinity College to discuss “all pertinent issues”, including additional training for pharmacists where this is deemed necessary, and a continuing programme of refresher training for all pharmacists.
“The PSI has also requested that the full training programme provided is now reviewed to ensure there are no other errors, communication or otherwise, which need to be addressed,” the report said.
The society’s registrar will establish what the report describes as an expert review group.