Media release – Dr Mark Veitch, Director of Public Health, 4 January 2024
COVID-19 revaccination advice for patients of Yolla Community Pharmacy
Public Health has identified that COVID-19 vaccines were stored and administered after their expiry date at Yolla Community Pharmacy.
While having a COVID-19 vaccine after its expiry date does not cause harm, it may be less effective, meaning anyone who has received an expired dose may not be fully protected against severe illness from COVID-19 and should consider an additional dose.
Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch said the issue was identified following a review of cold chain processes at the Yolla Community Pharmacy.
“The Department of Health is working with the Yolla Community Pharmacy to contact individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine at the pharmacy between August 2021 to August 2023 to advise them of the best course of action,” Dr Veitch said.
“Affected persons will be contacted via letter during the first week of January.
“While getting an expired vaccine will not cause harm, it may be less effective in protecting against serious illness or complications from COVID-19 infection.
“People who received a COVID-19 vaccine at Yolla Community Pharmacy are encouraged to speak with their usual doctor to discuss revaccination advice, especially those who are immunocompromised.
“Whether you need further doses will depend on your age and health. However, it is important to remember that most adults have been advised to get at least one 2023 COVID-19 booster, especially older adults or those with risk factors for serious illness.”
The Tasmanian Department of Health will also offer COVID-19 vaccinations through pop-up clinics in the area from mid-January 2024.
If anyone believes they received a COVID-19 vaccine at Yolla Community Pharmacy and does not receive a letter in early January, please call the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 and press the option for ‘Immunisation’ to speak to a specialist immunisation nurse.
Media release – Pharmacy Guild of Australia, 4 January 2024
Pharmacy Guild assures Tasmanians Pharmacy Vaccination Services are safe and effective
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has recently been informed that the Tasmanian Department of Health has identified a pharmacy in Tasmania’s north west where expired COVID-19 vaccines may have been administered.
The Guild’s Tasmanian Branch President, Helen O’Byrne, acknowledged the situation and supports individuals to consider the advice about further COVID-19 vaccinations provided by the Department of Health relevant to their age and health.
Ms O’Byrne stressed that this breakdown in the stringent vaccine workflow processes is an event limited to a single pharmacy and that pharmacist immunisers working in community pharmacies across the state have safely administered hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 vaccines to Tasmanians.
“As a fellow practising pharmacist I am proud of the work that pharmacists working in our community pharmacies have done since the COVID-19 vaccine roll out”, Ms O’Byrne said. “And I want to emphasise that Tasmanians can and should continue to have faith in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccination services provided at their local pharmacy.”
Ms O’Byrne said while it was unfortunate that people may not have received vaccines within the expiry range, vaccines given past their expiry date do not cause harm but may not provide full protection against COVID-19.
“Like influenza vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccine is designed to help reduce serious illness if you contract the virus, however the vaccines do not stop you getting COVID-19,” Ms O’Byrne said.
Ms O’Byrne also noted that many people have experienced at least one COVID-19 infection, and this provides increased immunity in conjunction with protection provided by the recommended course of COVID-19 vaccine boosters.
“This is a timely reminder for individuals to keep up to date with their COVID-19 boosters”, Ms O’Byrne said
All pharmacists when dispensing medications, including vaccines, routinely check manufacturer expiry dates to ensure that medications are safe and effective. COVID-19 vaccines have a few expiry date protocols, including manufacturer expiry dates and a shorter vaccine shelf life once the vaccine has been thawed in readiness for transport and administration.
“Of course this incident serves as a timely reminder to all pharmacies to ensure there are correct processes, subject to re-evaluation and continuous improvement, in place and that their pharmacist staff are aware of what is required of them”, Ms O’Byrne said.
Tasmanian pharmacists will soon be able to deliver a wider range of vaccines to eligible Tasmanians as part of the Commonwealth Government’s expansion of the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Ms O’Byrne said that the approval process required by the State Health Department is robust and serves as another opportunity to reflect on current procedures within the pharmacy and make changes where required.
