Offsite Vaccination Services: Importance of Obtaining and Verifying Consent

This practice update outlines the expectations and importance of obtaining and verifying informed consent from the patient, parent, or legal guardian before administering offsite vaccinations. 

Published: 24 October 2024

Background

While a range of vaccination services are available onsite in many pharmacies, offsite vaccination services provided by pharmacies play an important role in enhancing public health by increasing accessibility to vaccinations.  

When providing offsite vaccination services, those in pharmacy governance roles must ensure the same high standards of patient safety and quality service are provided, as would be the case with services provided at the pharmacy premises. 

The PSI provides guidance to support pharmacists in delivering safe vaccination services to the public in accordance with legislation.  

Importance of obtaining and verifying informed consent 

Obtaining informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement in healthcare, including vaccination services. It ensures that the patient, parent, or legal guardian has a clear understanding of the benefits, risks, and potential side effects of the vaccine they are about to receive. 

In the context of offsite vaccination services, where large numbers of patients may be vaccinated in a short time, ensuring that each patient, parent, or legal guardian has provided informed consent is essential. 

Pharmacists and pharmacies should have a standardised process to obtain and verify consent in these situations: 

  1. Information provision: The patient, parent or legal guardian must be provided with clear and comprehensive information about the vaccine, including its purpose, benefits, potential side effects, and any contraindications. This process allows them to ask questions, clarify concerns, and make an informed decision about the vaccination. For children under 16, the parent or legal guardian must provide informed consent on the child’s behalf.
  2. Documentation: Consent must be accurately documented, ensuring there is a record that the patient, parent or legal guardian has willingly agreed to vaccination after understanding the relevant information. 
  3. Verification: Before administering the vaccine, pharmacists must ensure that appropriate consent has been obtained and documented correctly. When consent is provided in advance, the pharmacist must have a record of informed consent in front of them that corresponds to the correct patient. This is particularly important for offsite vaccination services where there may be a time gap between when consent was given and when the vaccine is administered.  

Conclusion 

Pharmacists are trusted healthcare professionals and must continue to communicate effectively with patients to ensure informed consent is obtained in all vaccination settings, including offsite locations. This helps ensure that vaccinations are administered safely and in compliance with the legislation. 

Further information on consent is provided in the HSE National Consent Policy.