RACGP reiterates WA vax concerns

GP REPRESENTATIVES in Western Australia are continuing to voice concerns about the expansion of pharmacist vaccination services in the state which began on 01 Aug.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) WA Chair, Dr Sean Stevens, warned the State Government’s move, to allow pharmacists to provide the dTp, MMR and meningococcal vaccines, announced at the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’ Pharmacy WA Forum (PD 02 Aug), would compromise and fragment quality patient care, in an interview the College’s publication newsGP.

“We think it’s best if the patient’s care takes place at one medical home, and that medical home is the general practice,” he said.

“The safest place for a patient to be vaccinated is always a general practice or a hospital setting.

“GPs have been doing this since vaccines were invented; we are geared up to provide the care that goes in and around administering a vaccine.

“Rural patients deserve the same standard of care as urban patients, so to recommend a lower standard of care is, in my mind, not acceptable.”

Speaking at the Pharmacy WA Forum, WA Health Minister, Roger Cook, said the decision brought the State into line with other Australian states and territories.

“This simple change supplements existing immunisation programs and brings WA into line with the rest of the nation, it improves national consistency in relation to pharmacist-issued vaccine,” Cook said.