An amendment to the Medicines Regulations 1984 (Regulation 44A) to enable authorised vaccinators to administer vaccines and medicines for the purposes of an approved immunisation programme will come into force on Friday 19 December 2025.

This means that authorised vaccinators will no longer require a prescription or standing order to administer adrenaline and liquid paracetamol as detailed below.

The first two medicines approved by the Director of Public Health for inclusion in approved immunisation programmes are adrenaline and liquid paracetamol:

1. Adrenaline 1:1000 ampoules
2. Adrenaline has been approved for inclusion in all approved immunisation programmes. All other clinical requirements, including monitoring, documentation, and follow-up remain unchanged.
3. Liquid paracetamolLiquid paracetamol has been approved for use under the National Immunisation Schedule in conjunction with Bexsero administration for children under 24 months of age.Authorised vaccinators may:
   • administer a prophylactic dose of liquid paracetamol up to 30 minutes before or immediately prior to immunisation, and
   • Supply additional doses for parents or caregivers to administer at home.

Paracetamol dosing must be weight-based, in line with clinical guidance.

Further information on medicines approved for use in approved immunisation programmes will be made available in the next version of the Immunisation Handbook.

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Important notes:

·        This amendment only applies to authorised vaccinators. It does not apply to non-authorised pharmacist vaccinators, intern pharmacist vaccinators, registered nurses or paramedics who are encouraged to upskill to authorised vaccinator status where possible, to benefit from this regulatory change.

·        There are no changes to the Vaccinating Health Worker (VHW) role.

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