QUEENSLAND has expanded the role of pharmacists now by allowing them to administer respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines to residents over the age of 60.
This change follows the inclusion yesterday of the vaccine in the Extended Practice Authority - Pharmacists V5, positioning Queensland alongside New South Wales and Victoria in empowering pharmacists with this capability.
Shane MacDonald, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) in Queensland, praised the development, emphasising the importance of vaccination against infectious diseases, especially ahead of this year's winter season.
"Older adults with chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, and diabetes face a higher risk of hospitalisation or death from RSV," MacDonald noted, advocating for broader vaccine accessibility.
PSA National President, A/Prof Fei Sim, called on other Australian jurisdictions to follow lead.
"ATAGI has issued three significant statements about vaccination - for COVID-19, influenza and, for the first time, RSV," said Sim.
"Now we have a vaccine that is recommended, it's important to make sure people can access it from all their regular vaccine providers, including pharmacists."
RSV vaccines are currently not funded by the National Immunisation Program.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 02 May 24
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 02 May 24
