PHARMACEUTICAL Defence Limited (PDL) is reminding pharmacists about the importance of covering off key checkpoints before administering a vaccine to ensure the correct one is provided.

The professional indemnity insurers provided a case study where a 28-year-old patient presented a prescription for ‘varicella’ vaccine required for a new job.

After conducting pre-screening checks, a review of the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) and obtaining consent, the pharmacist dispensed and administered varicella zoster vaccine, Shingrix.

However, it emerged that it was the chickenpox vaccine that was required rather than Shingrix, which left the patient at risk of not completing both doses before the start of their new job.

PDL highlighted several factors that potentially contributed to the error, along with steps to mitigate the risk of error.

Firstly, it is important to confirm the intended indication of the vaccine with the patient and/or prescriber, not just the indication of the selected vaccine.

In this case, the vaccine was required for protection in a new job setting, for which Shingrix is not usually required.

Secondly, pharmacists should review the clinical appropriateness of the selected vaccine for the patient – Shingrix is only recommended in this patient’s age group for those who are immunocompromised.

Other important steps are to:

* review the patient’s Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) record;

* confirm patient eligibility for NIP/NIPVIP;

* obtain informed consent;

* check regulatory authorisation and requirements in the relevant jurisdiction; and

* consider your individual scope of practice.

PDL also highlighted the new cold chain management guidance (PD 07 Nov). KB

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