The Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP) is has announced the availability of new online training programmes and resources to support pharmacists with the delivery and administration of the seasonal influenza vaccine
New resources are available on the IIOP website to keep pharmacists up to date in relation to the Recommendations of the Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy. A dedicated section of the Resource Hub contains information and links to useful websites. A suite of resources has also been developed specifically to support pharmacists in the implementation of Recommendation 1 – Prescription Extension, which comes into effect from 1 September.
Seasonal influenza vaccines: New resources
Ahead of the upcoming influenza season, pharmacists will be able to enrol on the following courses via the IIOP website:
- Delivery of a Pharmacy-Based Vaccination Service.
- Responding to an Emergency Situation, including the Management of Anaphylaxis (RESMA).
- Administration of influenza vaccine 2024/2025.
To register, pharmacists should log into the IIOP website, click on the ‘Courses and Events’ page and select the ‘Vaccination Training’ tab.
Ensuring up-to-date training
In order to administer the seasonal influenza vaccine to adults and children from six months old, there are five training programmes in total, listed below, which pharmacists must complete. Each training programme has a specific validity period. Pharmacists should verify both the date on their certificate of completion and the programme validity, as outlined on the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) website.
| Training Programme | Training Provider | Where to complete |
| CPR (Adults and Children) | Cardiac First Response Community Level or Heartsaver® CPR AED AHA | Contact training provider directly for details. |
| Parenteral Medicines Administration Training (PAMT) | Hibernian Healthcare | Register on the Hibernian Healthcare website. |
| Responding to an Emergency Situation and Management Of Anaphylaxis (RESMA) | Hibernian Healthcare | Register on the IIOP website. |
| Delivery of a Pharmacy-Based Vaccination Service (DPBVS) | Hibernian Healthcare | Register on the IIOP website. |
| Administration of the Influenza Vaccination (2024/25) | Hibernian Healthcare | Register on the IIOP website. |
Expansion of the role of pharmacy: Resources for pharmacists
Phase 1: Empowering pharmacists to extend prescriptions
On foot of recommendations made by the Expert Taskforce for the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy, from 1 September, new legislation will come into effect allowing pharmacists to extend and dispense certain prescriptions written on or after 1 March 2024 from six months up to a maximum of 12 months where appropriate. The IIOP is providing a suite of resources designed to help pharmacists meet the requirements of Recommendation 1 – Prescription Extension. These resources will include case studies, decision making tools and support resources.
In addition, the following events are scheduled for the Autumn:
- ‘In Conversation With…’ Webinar: August 28, 2024, to introduce the new suite of resources.
- ‘In Conversation With…’ Webinar: September 11, 2024, to discuss practical implementation of Phase 1 Recommendations.
- Interactive Workshops: Three online workshops throughout autumn will provide practical application through case studies, directed at enhancing pharmacists’ skills and confidence.
For further information on any of the above training programmes and workshops, visit the dedicated ‘Expert Taskforce Information and Resources’ section of the Resource Hub on the IIOP Website.
Phase 2: Empowering pharmacists to prescribe within their scope of practice
Additionally, a dedicated section has been created on the IIOP Resource Hub to provide information relating to the Pharmacy Expert Taskforce Phase 2 recommendations. Search for IIOP Resource Hub, Expert Taskforce, or enter the following link into your browsers: https://iiop.ie/content/expert-taskforce.
How to stay connected with IIOP
- Keep an eye on your emails for latest updates.
- Subscribe to the IIOP newsletter — past newsletters are available on the IIOP website.
- IIOP Website, ‘Resource Hub’ and ‘Latest News’ sections.
- See our social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram.
For any queries, contact info@iiop.ie.
