ELIGIBLE patients in NSW will be able to get free seasonal influenza vaccines at their local pharmacy through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) after State Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, backed the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's (PSA) call for pharmacists to be given access to the program.
PSA NSW Branch President, Chelsea Felkai, welcomed Hazzard's commitment to the organisation's proposal, which will also apply to the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccines, saying it will give patients greater choice as to where they can receive immunisations.
Felkai said that granting pharmacists access to NIP vaccines would be particularly useful for patients living in rural areas where they may not be able to go to a GP easily.
"In addition, some people do not visit a GP regularly, or do not have a GP," she said.
"Allowing pharmacist immunisers to provide NIP influenza vaccines will increase vaccination rates and herd immunity to influenza within the NSW community."
PSA National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman, said the move would build on NSW's "already high vaccination rates".
"PSA's vision for a safer, more accessible and more accountable health system, Pharmacists in 2023, is the foundation for all of our pre-budget submissions. This commitment from the NSW Health Minister shows further confidence in the provision of safe, effective health care by pharmacists," he said.
"Consistent with our vision, PSA continues to work with governments around Australia to help achieve a future where pharmacists are increasingly involved, responsible and accountable for the medicine safety of their patients."
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