Pharmacists to vaccinate against more diseases in NSW

Pharmacists will be able to protect the NSW public against whooping cough and measles, the NSW Government has announced in a move welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA).

 

Pharmacists will help make immunisation more accessible by vaccinating against diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) from 1 January 2019.

 

The dTPa and MMR vaccines, along with the influenza vaccines pharmacists currently provide, will be available to patients 16 years and over.

 

PSA NSW President Professor Peter Carroll congratulated the Government for allowing pharmacists to provide more vaccines.

 

“Many people within the community do not regularly visit a GP, and allowing accredited pharmacists to administer dTpa and MMR vaccines will significantly increase the immunisation rate within the community, and reduce the incidence of these diseases.

 

“The administration of vaccines by pharmacists complements the excellent work done by GPs. It increases the immunisation rate, and has a positive effect on people’s health in NSW.”

 

As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA has advocated for many years in collaboration with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia to allow pharmacists to deliver more vaccinations.

 

Pharmacists in NSW have given influenza vaccines to people 18 years and over since 2016. They already provide dTpa and MMR vaccinations in other states such as the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.

 

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council recently announced their decision to establish a working group to consider a nationally consistent approach to pharmacist administered vaccinations.

 

PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said a nationally consistent approach would make vaccinations more accessible for all Australians.

 

“I commend the NSW Government for making full use of pharmacists’ expertise and training to better protect the community.

 

“We look forward to working with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee to ensure pharmacists across the country are better equipped to provide a wide range of vaccinations.”

 

PSA will contact pharmacists in NSW about the training available for them to provide vaccinations.

 

 

-ENDS-

 

Media contact: Jarryd Luke, Senior Communications Officer – 0487 922 176