Currently it is not a requirement for teachers and school staff to be trained in how to administer an epipen for children with severe allergies.

But should this type of training be mandatory? 

Sharon, who is the mother to two children with life-threatening allergies, said her eldest son was just three months old when he had his first anaphylactic shock. 

“I was actually exclusively breastfeeding, so I decided to give him formula for the first time after three months,” she told The Hard Shoulder. 

“Almost immediately after giving it to him, he went into anaphylaxis shock at the time, but we were obviously inexperienced and didn’t realise. 

“We rushed him straight to hospital and thankfully, everything was fine, but we left with a prescription for EpiPens; so he’s carried it with him for nearly 11 years now.” 

A boy using an Epipen in his thigh demonstrating what to do in the event of an anaphylactic shock. Image: True Images / Alamy

Sharon said it is important to highlight that it can “never be a bad thing” if an EpiPen is unnecessarily administered. 

“However, it could be catastrophic if you didn’t give it and they did need it,” she said. 

“I’m 10 years on this journey, and what I realised starting out was, it was all me. 

“Every teacher it was me meeting them, every preschool teacher, camps; it was always explaining to them, meeting them. 

“Obviously, you’d have the worry of, are they competent on knowing what to do?" 

'Nothing has changed'

According to Sharon, since there is no law in place to mandate that teachers are qualified or trained on EpiPen use, she has to explain the process to every teacher or custodian responsible for her children’s care. 

“Fast forward 10 years and I have another child with life-threatening allergies and he’s going to be going to preschool soon,” she said. 

“And I’ve realise, actually, nothing has changed. 

“All the teachers are still unaware and all preschools and creches still actually don’t have any formal training put in place. 

“It actually led me to set up Allergy Wise, where I go around to schools here in Cork to teach informally, because enough is enough.” 

Sharon said a group of mothers known as Allergy Action Ireland is calling on the Government to set up a system of “standardised clinical support and education in childcare settings.” 

Main image: A boy using an Epipen in his thigh demonstrating what to do in the event of an anaphylactic shock.