PHARMACIST indemnity insurer, PDL, is urging pharmacists to take steps to avoid potential incidents relating to pharmacist administered influenza vaccinations.
With age-related incidents among the most common, the professional indemnity insurer has recommended that pharmacists and assistants pay close attention to the patient's age prior to dispensing or administering flu vaccines.
"The most common of the age-related incidents involve influenza vaccine prescriptions for children," PDL said.
"Often these prescriptions are written generically... if the age of the patient (i.e. the child) is not identified then there is a risk that the vaccine supplied is not approved for the child's age.
"Understandably, parents may be upset when informed the child has received a vaccine that is not approved for their child's age. This may see a formal complaint being lodged with the regulator.
"To limit the risk of an incident occurring pharmacists and assistants receiving or processing prescriptions for influenza vaccines must confirm the age of all patients.
"Several cases have been identified whereby patients fall below the State-legislated minimum age for pharmacist vaccination.
"It is apparent that some of the patient consent proformas request a date of birth, but no age in years.
"PDL has made representations to providers of these forms regarding this aspect and the PSA consent form has been amended to incorporate this field. Update your pharmacy's consent form to request the patient's age in years."
For patients over the age of 65 years, being able to identify the person's age can enable pharmacists to discuss the option of a high-dose trivalent vaccine, administered by a GP, which may be more suitable.
In relation to injury, PDL noted that Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration was the most common injury sustained by patients.
"While this condition is usually resolved relatively quickly, the consequence for some patients can be significant and may include time off work," PDL said.
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