THE Western Australian Government this morning announced a major expansion of its Community Pharmacy Immunisation Program.
The move, confirmed by WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, will see the scope of National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccinations administered through community pharmacies to include influenza vaccinations for people aged five years and over who are eligible for the NIP, including Aboriginal people, those with medical conditions increasing their risk of influenza, pregnant women and those aged 65-plus.
WA community pharmacies will also be able to administer adolescent vaccinations, including Human papillomavirus (HPV), Diptheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (dTpa) and Meningococcal ACWY immunisations.
The scope includes influenza vaccinations for primary school-aged children, and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations for people born after 1965 who have had less than two doses.
The announcement only covers the supply of the vaccines, with community pharmacies expected to have to cover their costs by passing on a small administration fee to their patients.
The Pharmacy Guild is urging the Commonwealth Government to cover these costs, as it does for general practitioner vaccinations.
Guild WA President, Andrew Ngeow, hailed the announcement of the expansion of pharmacist vaccination scope, saying "every patient aged five years and over can now receive their influenza or COVID-19 vaccination at their local community pharmacy".
However he urged the Government to deliver equity by helping to fund the service.
"Whilst many patients have been willing to pay a small vaccine administration fee for the convenience and accessibility of a pharmacy administered vaccine, it doesn't mean that they should do so forever," Ngeow said.
There are currently over 500 community pharmacies authorised to provide one or more vaccines within Western Australia, many in rural and regional areas.
It is anticipated that community pharmacies will be able to provide the expanded services outside their premises, as is currently authorised for other vaccinations.
Ngeow thanked Sanderson and the WA Government for their commitment to community pharmacy, saying the Guild "looks forward to further exploring primary health opportunities for the sector into the future".
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