‘A big step forward, more steps yet to come’ PSA urges further removal of barriers to vaccination in Tasmania

2 March 2026

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has strongly welcomed a significant step forward in access to vaccination in Tasmania following a broadening of the Tasmanian Authorised Pharmacist Immuniser and Program Guidelines with pharmacist immunisers now able to initiate and administer a greater range of vaccines to children than ever before.

 

From today, children aged 2ꟷ5 years will be able to access their 2026 influenza vaccine from a pharmacist immuniser. Authorised pharmacist immunisers will also be able to initiate and administer a greater range of vaccines to children aged between five and ten years.

 

The PSA recognises these changes as a big step forward, and an important strategy to address declining vaccination rates in vulnerable and priority population groups. However, PSA is urging the government to go further in removing access barriers to vaccination by adopting the Australian Immunisation Handbook as the Tasmanian pharmacist immuniser formulary.

 

This call follows the Tasmanian government’s pre-election commitments and recent regulatory changes in South Australia and Queensland permitting all vaccines to be initiated to individuals of all ages, consistent with the pharmacist immuniser’s personal scope of practice.

 

PSA’s Tasmanian President Joanne Gross said that all vaccinators needed to be empowered to protect Tasmanians ahead of this winter:

 

“Last year was the deadliest influenza season in Australia this century. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all people aged 6 months and older. I strongly urge Tasmanians to be protected by influenza vaccination this winter.”

 

“Pharmacists across Tasmania are really pleased by these improvements to access for childhood vaccination. Too often we experience the frustration of parents who have needed to visit multiple vaccination providers to protect the whole family each year. These changes will largely remove this burden.”

 

These Guideline changes coincide with the introduction of an intranasal influenza vaccine (Flumist), which will be available for the first time in Australia this year:

 

“I know a lot of parents who will appreciate the option of a needle-free influenza vaccination for their child”.

 

Ms Gross said PSA would work with government to continue removing barriers to vaccination:

 

“We looking forward to working with the government to see the realisation of their pre-election commitment to increase the range of vaccinations available from appropriately trained pharmacists in line with the Australian Immunisation Handbook, including vaccines for travel health.”

 

PSA continues to support its members through regulatory changes, including updating PSA’s pharmacist state-by-state vaccination hub to reflect these latest changes.