COMMUNITY pharmacies in South Australia could be in line to gain access to National Immunisation Program influenza vaccines for patients aged 65 years and older, following a review of the state's vaccination strategy.
Responding to a question from Advance SA MLC, John Darley, in the Legislative Council earlier this week, SA Health Minister, Stephen Wade, noted the state's immunisation program "has had a positive impact on influenza".
"In relation to partnerships with immunisation providers, we certainly regard community pharmacy as a key partner in the distribution of vaccines and in that context, I think it was earlier this year but certainly within the term of this Government, we expanded the [age range of] young people who can get immunisations through pharmacists," Wade said.
"Certainly, we will continue to look at opportunities to maximise the impact of the National Immunisation Program, including the suggestions the honourable member has made.
"There is currently a review underway of the influenza immunisation program this year, which is, to be frank, an annual review, but I am particularly keen that we learn the lessons from the COVID experience to learn what we can to strengthen the influenza program for next year."
Wade added that as of 26 Sep there had been 1,556 confirmed flu cases in SA in 2020, compared with close to 25,000 at the same point last year, as a result of efforts to maximise the state's immunisation program, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I am not expecting that this pandemic will be over before we start to face the next wave of influenza," he said
"The fact that we are likely to continue to have international travel restrictions will significantly reduce the risk of an outbreak the size we have seen in recent years."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 15 Oct 20
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 15 Oct 20