Locum Pharmacist Suspended After Administering Shingles Vaccine to Child Under Wrong PGD at Well Pharmacy

Date of Decision: August 28, 2025

Registrant's Role: Pharmacist

Allegations:

• Administered Zostavax (a shingles vaccine intended for adults) to a 2-year-old child instead of the prescribed Varivax (chickenpox vaccine)
• Failed to check the child’s name and date of birth before administering the vaccine
• Did not obtain informed consent from the child’s mother
• Did not explain the risks associated with the vaccine
• Administered a vaccine not covered by a Patient Group Direction (PGD)
• Inserted the same needle multiple times into the child's arm during vaccination
• Failed to review the relevant PGD before the appointment
• Acted outside his scope of competence (not an independent prescriber and lacked training)
• Did not make an adequate clinical record of the appointment

Outcome: Suspension – 4 months (with immediate interim suspension)

GPhC Standards Breached:

• Standard 1 – Pharmacy professionals must provide person-centred care
• Standard 3 – Pharmacy professionals must communicate effectively
• Standard 4 – Pharmacy professionals must maintain, develop and use their professional knowledge and skills
• Standard 5 – Pharmacy professionals must use their professional judgement
• Standard 8 – Pharmacy professionals must speak up when things go wrong
• Standard 9 – Pharmacy professionals must demonstrate leadership

Case Summary

Original Case Document