PHARMACEUTICAL Defence Limited (PDL) has issued a practice alert for pharmacists relating to the administration of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to patients under 60 years of age.
PDL confirmed that while the ATAGI advice regarding age ranges for the vaccine has not changed, "recent Commonwealth government announcements have reiterated that healthcare practitioners, including pharmacists, can, with informed consent, administer the AstraZeneca vaccine to patients under the age of 60 years in certain circumstances".
The PDL Master Policy provides cover for COVID-19 vaccination, when pharmacists take reasonable steps to understand and comply with the obligations placed on them by government-approved protocols including training, standards, directives, clinical guidelines and recommendations in place at the time of vaccination.
Following the latest announcements, PDL said for its members handling requests for AstraZeneca vaccines in patients under 60, pharmacists should satisfy themselves that the Pfizer Cominarty vaccine is not available to the patient, and that the benefits to the patient are likely to outweigh the risks.
Patients should give informed consent to the vaccination knowing the risks, and pharmacists should also ensure that state legislation permits vaccination in this age range - noting that for example the NSW Vaccination Standard does not allow for pharmacist administration of COVID-19 vaccines in patients less than 60 years.
ATAGI guidance also indicates that pharmacists can administer the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine if the patient had no reactions to the first dose, the indemnity insurer added.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 09 Jul 21
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