Paracetamol on Bulk Supply Order (BSO) for Bexsero vaccine
Schedule rules for ordering and dispensing of paracetamol oral liquid on BSO for administration with the meningococcal group B vaccine (Bexsero) vaccine.
On this page:
Bexsero and paracetamol
Pharmac funded Bexsero, the meningococcal group B vaccine from 1 March 2023.
Unlike other childhood vaccines, the Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) recommends that paracetamol is given to children under 2 years(external link) when they are administered meningococcal B multicomponent vaccine (Bexsero). The paracetamol helps prevent and treat fever that can be caused by the vaccination. The recommended dosing regime is:
- one dose of paracetamol at the time of vaccination
- up to two further doses at 4-6 hour intervals.
From 1 May 2023, community-based outreach vaccinators can authorise subsidy themselves for funded paracetamol oral liquid on bulk supply order (BSO).
Schedule Rule changes
Pharmac updated the Pharmaceutical Schedule rules Pharmaceutical Schedule Rules to enable this. We have also updated Pharmaceutical Schedule to reflect this change for paracetamol(external link).
Previously, paracetamol could only be ordered and dispensed for vaccinators on a Practitioners’ Supply Order (PSO). PSOs must be signed by a prescriber and there is a limit of 200 ml paracetamol oral liquid per order.
We heard that some community-based outreach vaccinators have limited or no access to a prescriber and as such had difficulty getting supplies of funded paracetamol to give with the Bexsero vaccine. We have made this change to support equity of access through outreach vaccination services.
For community-based outreach vaccinators
Where do I get the BSO forms from?
What should I write on the form?
Does a "licensee or manager" have to sign?
A 200ml bottle is more than required for 3 doses
Can vaccinators in general practice use BSO forms to order paracetamol oral liquid?
I work as a hospital outreach vaccinator, how should I access paracetamol?
What this means
From 1 May, vaccinators can order multiple funded 200 ml packs of paracetamol oral liquid on a Bulk Supply Order (BSO) form. The vaccinator can sign the form, it does not need the signature of a prescriber. The paracetamol is dispensed from a community pharmacy.
Where do I get the BSO forms from?
Vaccinators can request the BSO form by e-mailing: customerservice@health.govt.nz
Include the following:
- A copy of your authorisation approval letter from the Medical Officer of Health
- Your name:
- Business Name:
- Delivery Street Address:
- Post code:
- Telephone Number:
- E-mail address:
- Publication Name: BSO Forms
- HP Number: HP5788
- Number of pads required:
Forms come in pads of 20 so small orders, more frequently would be appreciated.
Allow 10 working days to process the order. The forms will come in the post from Bluestar.
What should I write on the form?
Leave the top boxes and quantity on hand boxes empty.
In the table, include:
- the date
- how many units you want and the size of the units (Oral liquid paracetamol comes in 200 ml bottles)
- the name of the chemical and its presentation, e.g. paracetamol - oral liquid 120 mg per 5 ml
Make sure you sign and date the form.
The BSO form says it must be signed by the licensee or manager of a private hospital or approved institution
- This is not necessary for vaccinators ordering paracetamol
- The signature of the vaccinator is sufficient
Can vaccinators in general practice use BSO forms to order paracetamol oral liquid?
This change in access to the BSO mechanism is intended to support outreach vaccinators administering Bexsero in the community by issuing them with sufficient paracetamol to provide to caregivers of vaccinated children in line with Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) recommendations.
PSO remains the mechanism for obtaining general practice supplies of paracetamol.
A 200ml bottle is more than required for 3 doses
A 200ml bottle of paracetamol may be supplied for each child under 2 years
I work as a hospital outreach vaccinator, how should I access paracetamol?
The Schedule Rules already allow you to access paracetamol from Te Whatu Ora hospitals.
These changes to the supply of paracetamol by vaccinators only apply to subsidies for community pharmaceuticals.
For pharmacists
How do I know the BSO form has been signed by an authorised vaccinator?
Can I claim more than one dispensing fee for multiple 200 ml packs on a single form?
What is a reasonable monthly allocation for the vaccinators circumstances of use?
What about general practice supply of paracetamol?
Does this change also apply to pharmacist vaccinators?
The BSO form says it must be signed by the licensee or manager of a private hospital or approved institution
- This is not necessary for vaccinators ordering paracetamol
- The signature of the vaccinator is sufficient
How do I know the BSO form has been signed by an authorised vaccinator?
- There is no need to verify vaccinator identity or vaccinator authorisation
- Vaccinators will provide evidence of authorisation status when they request BSO forms
- We have provided vaccinators with information on how to access BSO forms.
Can I claim more than one dispensing fee for multiple 200 ml packs on a single form?
- One dispensing fee can be claimed per total quantity dispensed on BSO
What is a reasonable monthly allocation for the vaccinators circumstances of use?
There is no volume limit when ordering on BSO, other than the expectation that no more than a reasonable amount for a month under usual circumstances of use would be ordered.
What about general practice supply of paracetamol?
This change in access to the BSO mechanism is intended to support outreach vaccinators administering Bexsero in the community by issuing them with sufficient paracetamol to provide to caregivers of vaccinated children in line with Immunisation Advisory Centre (IMAC) recommendations.
PSO remains the mechanism for obtaining general practice supplies of paracetamol.
Does this change also apply to pharmacist vaccinators?
Currently, the meningococcal group B vaccine (Bexsero) is not administered by pharmacist vaccinators to children under 2 years. Bexsero is currently the only childhood vaccine for which paracetamol is recommended.
Who to contact
If you have any questions about this change, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz