VACCINATION access has been expanded in NSW following updates to the state's Pharmacist Vaccination Standards that increases access to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines.
The minimum age requirements for Shingrix vaccines were lowered, while written consent requirements for COVID-19 vaccines have been removed, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) explained (PD Breaking News Fri).
PSA NSW President Luke Kelly said the changes cut red tape, making vaccines more accessible across the state.
"As a state our focus should be on removing barriers to vaccination, cutting the red tape that prevents qualified pharmacist immunisers from delivering more vaccines to more people," Kelly explained.
The key changes to vaccinations in NSW now means that pharmacist immunisers can administer the Shingrix vaccine to patients from previously 50 years and over to those now 18 years and over, to align with the eligibility for the Shingrix vaccine under the NIP.
The inclusion of the monovalent meningococcal C vaccine for people aged five years and over will now ensure pharmacist immunisers can provide a full range of meningococcal vaccines to eligible people in the state.
The changes also remove the reference to the COVID-19 vaccine following its recent inclusion in the Australian Immunisation Handbook, to be consistent with the approach for all other vaccines that pharmacist immunisers are authorised to administer.
The COVID-19 vaccine written consent requirements have also been removed to be consistent with consent requirements for all other vaccines, meaning informed consent must be obtained and documented evidence of verbal consent must be made. JG
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 30 Oct 23
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 30 Oct 23
