Immunization Reporting Requirements for All Alberta LPNs

Immunization Reporting Requirements for All Alberta LPNs

Plus: More Options for Immunization Education

The Government of Alberta Immunization Regulation gives all health professionals, including licensed practical nurses (LPNs), additional responsibilities regarding immunizations. This aims to improve capacity to manage outbreaks, the quality of immunization services, and increase immunization rates.

The second stage of these regulations comes into effect in the new year.

Reporting Requirements in Effect January 1, 2021

Starting January 1, 2021, the Immunization Regulation requires all health professionals, including LPNs, to report immunizations and related assessments to the Chief Medical Officer of Health through the Immunization Direct Submission Mechanism (IDSM).

IDSM reports must be submitted no longer than seven days after the immunization is:

• administered,

• recommended but refused,

• contraindicated,

• or when an LPN receives a written record about past unreported immunization.

In Effect from December 17, 2018

Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI): LPNs are required to report adverse events following immunization whether they administered the vaccine or not.

What to Report and Where to Report: Visit the AEFI reporting page on the Alberta Health Services (AHS) website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/ page16187.aspx or call 1-855-444-2324.

Storage, Handling and Transportation: LPNs administering vaccines must follow the requirements related to vaccine storing, handling, and transporting as outlined in the Immunization Regulation. LPNs providing public-funded vaccines (i.e., employed with Alberta Health Services) must also follow parameters outlined in the Alberta Vaccine Cold Chain Policy.

For more information, please review the related CLPNA document on Immunization Regulation Duties on the CLPNA website by searching Immunization Regulation, and the Alberta Immunization Policy at https://www. alberta.ca/alberta-immunization-policy.aspx

More Options for Immunization Education

As a result of the LPN Regulation update on February 1, 2020, licensed practical nurses who have the education, training, and individual competence to administer immunizations safely are authorized to administer immunizations to individuals five years of age and older.

Administration of immunizations is no longer considered a specialized area of LPN practice, and therefore authorization by the CLPNA is no longer required or listed on an LPN’s practice permit. LPNs who previously completed the approved education and had the immunization specialty on their practice permit may continue to administer vaccines without the need for further education or training.

To proceed in practice, LPNs must have the knowledge, skill, judgment, and competencies related to the concepts and principles of immunization and immunity, communicable disease control, contraindications and risks, nursing interventions, and reporting requirements.

There are several options for LPNs to obtain education and training related to the administration of immunizations, including:

• the CLPNA’s online Immunization Learning Module,

• a continuing education program, or

• employer-supported education and training. n

For more, search ‘Immunization Regulation’ on www.clpna.com, or contact the CLPNA’s Practice Team at practice@clpna.com, 780-484-8886 or 1-800-661-5877 (toll-free in Alberta).