WA flu vax change puts patients first

PHARMACISTS in Western Australia will be allowed to provide influenza vaccinations to children 10-years-old and over, following a decision by the State Government.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch President, Andrew Ngeow, welcomed the Government’s “commonsense measure” to boost herd immunity across the state.

“This measure is about putting patients and public health first,” he said.

“We know hospital admissions due to influenza are up, and there have been tragic outcomes this flu season.

“It is impossible to ignore the evidence.

“This action being taken is very appropriate and effective immediately”

The decision comes a day after the WA Department of Health released its weekly winter respiratory illness and influenza data showing the number of flu-related deaths in the state almost doubled in the week to 18 Jun, jumping from 15 to 29 for the year to date.

In the same seven-day period the number of laboratory confirmed cases in the state jumped by more than 50% of the annual total (9,016), while an additional 79,000 publicly funded doses of the vaccine were distributed.

At this stage last year WA had recorded 1,399 confirmed flu infections and four deaths.

The move follows a similar decision expanding pharmacist vaccination announced last month by the Tasmanian Govt (PD 20 May).

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) WA Branch President, Dr

Fei Sim, welcomed the decision, saying it provided pharmacists with an opportunity to highlight their expertise and training to better protect the community against vaccine-preventable diseases.

“The administration of vaccines by pharmacists complements the excellent work done by GPs, nurses, Indigenous health workers and other immunisers,” she said.

“It increases the immunisation rate and has a positive effect on people’s health in Western Australia.”