THE University of Sydney Faculty of Pharmacy has announced that its Master of Pharmacy graduates will be the first intern pharmacists in Australia qualified to administer influenza vaccinations, as a result of an agreement between the University and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
The Guild's Pharmacist Administration of Influenza Vaccination course in online and hands-on workshop formats will be included at the start of their provisional registration.
Dean of Pharmacy, Professor Iqbal Ramzan (pictured) said the Faculty was pleased to work with the Guild to provide students with the opportunity.
"Our graduates have a range of professional skills ensuring they are work ready for a variety of practice environments.
"The ability to administer the influenza vaccination is an exciting addition to their repertoire."
Legislation passed in NSW in 2015 permits registered pharmacists who have completed an approved course to provide influenza vaccinations to patients aged 18 and over.
In addition, intern pharmacists who complete the vaccination training and are under the supervision of a registered pharmacist approved to vaccinate are also permitted to provide influenza vaccinations.
Pharmacy Guild acting president Mark Douglass said, "Pharmacists are already skilled at recording patient health and medication history, and counselling patients.
"The addition of influenza vaccination training increases their scope of practice.
"Pharmacist-administered influenza vaccinations offer patient convenience leading to improved vaccination rates and overall public health benefits."
Douglass said 266 pharmacists across NSW and the ACT had already completed the course.
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