Pharmacy hits 1m flu vax
July 22, 2021
CALLS to accelerate community pharmacy's involvement in the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations is being strengthened by the sector's successful influenza vaccine campaign, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President, Associate Professor Chris Freeman, believes.
The PSA President noted that as of Sun 18 Jul pharmacists had administered more than one million doses of the flu vaccine this year, based on data from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
"Year-on-year local pharmacists are continuing to make a significant contribution to immunisation against seasonal influenza, protecting their communities against this potentially deadly disease," he said.
"Recent data from the AIR shows that pharmacist-administered flu vaccinations have now surpassed the one million mark since the start of this season.
"I know how grateful the public is to conveniently receive their vaccination from their local pharmacist.
"This data from the AIR is indicative of the impact that local pharmacists can have on achieving national immunity and provides concrete justification that community pharmacist involvement will expedite completion of the vaccine rollout.
"According to a report released by the McKell Institute on Mon (PD 19 Jul), activation of 4,000 community pharmacies would allow Australia to reach its vaccination targets roughly two months faster than at the current rate.
"All jurisdictions must take action and allow all COVID-19 vaccines to be available through the entire vaccinating pharmacist network.
"All Australians should have the option to go to their local pharmacist for their recommended vaccine because it is so easy and convenient to do so."
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