Introduction:
Pharmacists are accessible, as they are well placed within communities as the first point of contact with the health care system. Pharmacists are also well trained, offer cost-effective pharmaceutical services to the public, hence play a pivotal role in the delivery of primary health care services. Pharmacists can promote public health through immunisations and increase immunisation coverage. Pharmacists acting as educations, facilitators, vaccinators and advocates fulfil important roles during a pandemic. The South African Pharmacy Council identified the need for pharmacists to be trained as vaccinators and be skilled in practical immunisation and injection techniques. Nelson Mandela University is the first provider to be accredited to offer this course in collaboration with Rhodes University Faculty of Pharmacy.
Description of course:
Purpose: On completion of the course the learner will be able to provide safe immunisation services of the highest standard according to Good Pharmacy Practice. This training would allow pharmacists to become vaccinators, vaccine advocates, promote the importance of immunisation in reducing vaccine-preventable diseases, help with dispelling myths associated with vaccines and improve public confidence in vaccines. This would require pharmacist vaccinators to be able to read and interpret immunisation schedules, and safely administer vaccines via all prescribed routes of administration. They should also have the ability to operate an immunisation service in compliance with legal and regulatory standards. Furthermore, these pharmacists may also be required to collaborate with other immunisation stakeholders to improve the availability and access to immunisation services, aimed at reaching herd immunity.
Online lecture and workbook synopsis:
The workshops will be conducted online through the ZOOM platform. Links to the workshop sessions will be sent to your email address as a meeting invitation. Please accept the meeting to confirm your attendance.
1. Introduction
During this session you will be introduced to the course facilitators and provided with a course overview. An explanation of all the course requirements and expectations will be provided during this session. Participants will be taken through the Moodle site and given an opportunity to ask questions.
2. Workshop 1
Workshop 1 introduces participants to general immunisation principles, including an overview of the immune system, the different categories of vaccines, the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in South Africa (EPI-SA), adult and other vaccines (including the influenza vaccine and Covid-19 vaccines) and a basic introduction to travel vaccines. Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) as it relates to immunisation is also covered.
3. Workshop 2
In workshop 2, effective communication for immunisation is explored in a broad sense. An overview of elements of interpersonal communication and communication for vaccine advocacy and social mobilisation is provided. Specific attention is given to the concept of vaccine hesitancy, and the use of a presumptive approach and motivational interviewing as a tool for addressing hesitancy are provided.
4. Workshop 3
Workshop 3 focuses on Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFIs). Sub-topics include the frequency and severity of AEFIs, the different types of reactions to vaccines, immunisation error-related reactions, anxiety about injections or immunisation, anaphylaxis and the management of anaphylactic shock. Pharmacovigilance and the reporting of AEFIs is also part of this workshop.
5. Workshop 4
Workshop 4 focusses on two main topics. Firstly, an overview is given of vaccine cold chain management and storage. The second part of the workshop focusses on the administration of injections. The equipment needed, the different types of injections, injection technique, infection prevention and control, safe injection technique and waste disposal are covered. Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) as it relates to the administration of injections and the cold chain are covered in detail.
6. Conclusion
During this session the course facilitators will finalise any outstanding items and provide participants with feedback. Participants are encouraged to provide insight into their experience of the course and make comments to improve future courses. A course evaluation form will be available on Moodle for participants to complete. Please note that the responses to the course evaluation are anonymous.
Practical workshop:
Before learning the practical skills, the basic theory of immunisation and injection technique will be covered. Participants will be required to work through a set of notes before the practical workshop, so that they are familiar with the most important theoretical principles before attending the workshop. In the workshop, the practical skills will be demonstrated and practised in a simulated environment.
Course date & duration:
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25 January 2024
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The course will run over a period of 8 weeks. In exceptional circumstances, a candidate will be allowed to remain registered for longer but not beyond 10 weeks (e.g., in the case of a reassessment or illness).
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The course will be run every 12 weeks, dependant on a minimum registration of 20 participants per course.
Virtual or face to face:
The course will be a hybrid of online lectures and a face-to-face clinical workshop. Participants will be required to complete workbooks on the online learning management system (MOODLE) prior to attending weekly online lectures. At the end of the 4th module, a face-to-face clinical workshop will take place (Saturday). Thereafter, participants will be have two weeks to complete the practical requirements of administering 25 injections under supervision before final assessment of theoretical and practical knowledge takes place.
On application, candidates are to indicate their preferred site for the practical workshop, either Port Elizabeth or Grahamstown. A minimum of 15 people per site is required for the course to be held at that site. Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela University) will be the default site if there are insufficient candidates.
Entry requirements:
Pharmacists who wish to enrol for the short course on immunisation and injection technique must be:
• in possession of a Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) degree, or recognised equivalent qualification; and
• registered with the SAPC as a Practicing Pharmacist.
Proof of qualification and registration as a pharmacist with the SAPC will be required at registration for the course. Proof of past and current employment (indicating work experience in a clinical environment) will also be requested.