CLAIMS by Australian Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Tony Bartone, that pharmacists administered old vaccine stock to patients ahead of this years influenza season, are a "Wakefield statement", according to Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Interim CEO, Dr Shane Jackson.
Jackson warned the AMA chief's comments could have a long-lasting and negative impact on future flu vaccination uptake.
"This is a Wakefield statement by the AMA President," he said on Twitter, referring to controversial British researcher Andrew Wakefield whose erroneous claims about MMR vaccinations have impacted global immunisation rates.
"[It] only seems to undermine vaccination efforts by all health professionals," Jackson said.
PSA National President, Dr Chris Freeman, called on Bartone to retract his claims that pharmacists had used expired vaccines.
"Pharmacists take seriously their essential role in providing safe and appropriate medicines," he said.
"All pharmacist immunisers are trained to the same standard as other immunisers in Australia, and pharmacists have stringent quality controls that prevent the use of expired or superseded stock, including influenza vaccines.
"In 2018, more than one million Australians safely received their flu vaccinations from a pharmacist.
"Vaccination against preventable diseases is one of the most effective and safe health interventions available to Australians," he added.
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