VICTORIAN pharmacists will now be able to administer Meningococcal ACWY to people aged 15 years and over, under new arrangements announced yesterday by the Vic state government.
The changes have also seen the lowering of the minimum age for pharmacist-administered measles/mumps/rubella and whooping cough vaccines lowered by a year, to people aged 15 and up.
The expanded immunisation abilities will become effective from 01 Apr, while on the same date previously announced changes lowering the age for pharmacist-administered influenza vaccines to 10 years and above (PD 11 Oct 2019) will also be implemented.
Changes to the Secretary Approval: Pharmacist Immunisers regulations will also allow greater flexibility for pharmacists to provide vaccinations via mobile and outreach services of a hospital, pharmacy or pharmacy depot, with all of the developments welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.
"At a time when our health care system is under extreme pressure, increasing options for Victorians to access vaccination services is extremely helpful," said Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Victorian President John Jackson.
"Pharmacists are well trained in the administration of these vaccines and are more accessible to the community than any other health provider," he said.
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