THE Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA)has welcomed a plan announced on Sat by the NSW Opposition to increase the range of vaccinations available for administration by pharmacists in the state.
PSA NSW president Professor Peter Carroll, who's pictured right at the announcement with NSW Labor leader Luke Foley, told PD he believes such a move will "significantly increase the immunisation rate, and by increasing herd immunity it will have a very positive effect on the health of people in NSW".
He noted that pharmacist administered immunisation should not be seen as a competition with GPs, but rather a complement, increasing vaccination rates in the community by targetting those who don't regularly visit their doctor.
Under the Labor plan, from 01 Sep 2019 NSW, pharmacies would be able to provide the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella as well as the dTpa vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, bringing NSW into line with SA, Qld and the NT.
NSW Guild President David Heffernan was also present at the announcement.
Flu vaccination in NSW has been a success, with an analysis finding 15% of people seeking pharmacy jabs had never received one before.
The age limit for pharmacy vaccinations would remain at 18.
The next NSW state election is scheduled for Mar 2019.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 23 Jul 18
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