The provincial Universal Flu Vaccination Program is expected to begin mid-October 2021. Following is information for community pharmacies intending to participate in this year’s campaign.
 
Start Date:
The target start date is October 18, 2021. Pharmacists may begin administering vaccinations earlier if vaccine is available earlier.
 
Supplies:
The Department of Health and Community Services has advised the same supplies provided to pharmacies last year will be provided again at no cost. Please note there are shortages of some items federally. PANL will continue to work with the Department in this area and provide updates.
 
Allocation and Distribution:
As in previous years, vaccine will be distributed though the provincial depots. As vaccine shortages are not expected, the RHAs will not be allocating amounts (as per COVID vaccine). Pharmacies should order and expect to receive the amount they anticipate using. 
 
Off-site Clinics:
As in previous years, pharmacies may offer off-site flu vaccination clinics as long as all standards are followed.
 
Fee:
The fee per injection remains $13.00.
 
Other Immunizers:
Other immunizers are permitted to administer flu vaccinations within a pharmacy as long as it is within their scope of practice. The pharmacist on duty would have to prescribe the vaccine and the information entered into the computer should reflect this.
 
High Dose Vaccine:
High Dose vaccine is offered through the publicly funded system to individuals 65+ living in LTC, PHC, community care home, etc.  If a pharmacist is directly linked to one of these facilities they could have access to high dose vaccine, however it is usually offered by community health nurses and/or the physician linked to the facility.    
 
MCP Cards:
Individuals without an MCP card (non-residents) should be directed to a Public Health clinic.
For NL residents with an expired MCP, it is expected the workaround put in place for the COVID-19 vaccination program will remain in place for the flu program.
 
Pharmacy Registration:
Pharmacies are not required to register with PANL and/or the Provincial Government in order to participate.
 
Order Forms and Other Information:
Public Health will prepare a pharmacy memo prior to the program start date that includes vaccine monograph, storage and handling, order forms for vaccine and supplies, depot locations and contact information etc.
 
PANL will continue to update members on the program.
 
Questions may be directed to the PANL office.

The Pharmacists' Association of NL
85 Thorburn Road, Suite 203
St. John's, NL  A1B 3M2
Phone: 709.753.7881
Email: email@panl.net