PHARMACISTS in the ACT will be authorised to administer influenza vaccinations to patients aged 10-years and older, and pregnant women, as part of the Territory's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision announced this morning has also granted pharmacist immunisers in the Territory, the ability to provide the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine to patients on a private basis (PD breaking news).
Welcoming the announcement, Pharmacy Guild of Australia ACT Branch President, Simon Blacker, thanked the Territory Government, saying the move would provide patients with greater choice when seeking flu vaccination services.
"It is a positive and timely step ahead of what threatens to be another bad season for influenza," he said.
"With the public health focus squarely on COVID-19, it is very important that as many people as possible in the ACT are protected against contracting influenza, so that they are fit and healthy as we strive to minimise the impact of COVID-19."
The expansion of pharmacist vaccination services in the ACT comes just days after the Territory Government announced emergency dispensing measures (PD 06 Apr), bringing it into line with other States and the Northern Territory in allowing pharmacists to dispense maximum Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) quantities to patients without a prescription.
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