Vaccination Services
Suitably trained pharmacists in Ireland can supply and administer influenza (flu), pneumococcal polysaccharide, herpes zoster (shingles) and COVID-19 vaccines.
Since 2011 pharmacists are designated in law to provide a seasonal influenza vaccination service in pharmacies and to supply and administer adrenaline (epinephrine) injections for the emergency treatment of anaphylactic shock that may arise from the administration of vaccines.
In 2015 the legislation was amended to permit pharmacists to supply and administer two additional vaccines, the pneumococcal polysaccharide and herpes zoster (shingles) vaccines.
In October 2020, legislation was amended to permit appropriately trained pharmacists to supply and administer the influenza vaccine at any suitable and appropriate place (i.e. within or offsite from the retail pharmacy business premises) having regard to public convenience and the need to protect the health and safety of the public. This includes the influenza vaccine suspension for injection presented as a pre-filled syringe, and the influenza vaccine nasal spray, suspension.
Since December 2020, appropriately trained pharmacists may also supply and administer COVID-19 vaccines as part of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme.
PSI Vaccination Guidance 2026/2027
The PSI has guidance available to support pharmacists in providing safe vaccination services to the public in line with the legislation. The guidance sets out the legal and professional requirements which needs to be fulfilled and the general requirements applicable to the provision of a vaccination service in a pharmacy. In addition, the PSI has produced additional guidance specific to providing a vaccination service to children.
- Guidance on the Provision of Vaccination Services by Pharmacists in Retail Pharmacy Businesses.
- Guidance on the Provision of an Influenza Vaccination Service for Children Aged 6 Months and Older.
The HSE has produced Operational Guidance for Vaccination in Community Pharmacy to support pharmacies in providing vaccination services.
Providing an influenza vaccination service offsite from the pharmacy premises
The purpose of this guidance is to support pharmacy owners, superintendent pharmacists and supervising pharmacists to plan and carry out a safe and effective offsite vaccination service.
Vaccinations training
See information on the training requirements that pharmacists must complete before providing vaccinations.
All relevant legislation can be accessed on the Irish Statute book website and links are also available below:
- Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) Regulations 2011
- Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment No.2) Regulations 2015
- Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply)(Amendment)(No.5) Regulations 2020
- Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) (Amendment) (No.7) Regulations 2020
Access our FAQs for common queries about the autumn/winter vaccination programme
The National Immunisation Office is responsible for managing vaccine procurement and distribution, developing training and communication materials for the public and health professionals. Further information on immunisation for the general public and healthcare professionals is available on the National Immunisation Office website.
Since 2015, pharmacists who have completed the required training have been enabled to supply and administer Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccines and Herpes Zoster (shingles) vaccines to patients in community pharmacies as a private service to patients.
Since 1 May 2026, community pharmacists are now enabled and funded to administer the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV23) as part of the HSE national immunisation programme, to healthy adults aged 65 and over who hold a medical card, GP visit card or Health Amendment Act card. Further information can be found in the HSE pharmacy circular.
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