Qld pharmacists get travel vax access

PHARMACISTS in Queensland will be able to provide an expanded range of immunisations including travel vaccinations, and be able to administer influenza shots to children 10 years and older this year.

Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, announced that trained pharmacists will be able to administer cholera, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (dTpa); diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis (dTpaIPV); Haemophilus influenza type B; hepatitis A; meningococcal ACWY; poliomyelitis; and measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccines to people aged 16 years and above.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Queensland Branch President, Chris Campbell, welcomed the move, saying the decision to lower the minimum age for pharmacist administered flu shots was an important step ahead of the 2020 flu season.

“This is particularly important given Queensland had a record breaking flu season in 2019 with more than 68,000 cases,” he said.

Campbell added the expansion of the range of vaccinations pharmacists can administer would also boost immunisation rates.

“Less than 40% of at-risk adults are considered to be fully vaccinated and allowing trained pharmacists to administer more vaccines and to a wider cohort will significantly increase immunisation rates within the community,” he said.

“The administration of vaccines by pharmacists complements the excellent work done by GPs, nurses, Indigenous Health Workers and other immunisers.

“It increases immunisation rates and has a positive effect on the health of Queenslanders.”

Campbell added that the PSA would continue to work with the Queensland Government to secure access to National Immunisation Program vaccination stock for pharmacists.