NSW Pharmacies Can Now Vaccinate Under School Vaccination Program

NSW pharmacists are now eligible to vaccinate children under the School Vaccination Program.

The NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazard confirmed changes to allow trained pharmacist immunisers to supply and administer National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines to NSW children eligible for vaccination in the NSW School Vaccination Program.

Pharmacist immunisers are now able to administer human papillomavirus (HPV) and diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) vaccines to people aged 12 years and older, and the meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine to people over 14 years.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) NSW Branch President, Chelsea Felkai said this move would significantly improve vaccine access for young people across the state. “This is very welcome news for NSW pharmacist immunisers,” Ms Felkai said.

“Pharmacists have proven themselves time and time again through the COVID-19 pandemic as one of our most accessible healthcare workforces.

“They are trained and experienced in vaccinating younger age groups.

“We are delighted that pharmacists will now be able to contribute to increasing vaccine accessibility and immunisation rates across our school population.

“It is essential that all NSW children have timely access to HPV, dTpa and Men/ACWY vaccines.

“Vaccination is the best way to ensure these susceptible populations and their families are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases - they will now have the convenient option of protecting themselves through local pharmacies.

“PSA has been advocating for this for some time, as highlighted in our most recent budget submission.

“We must continue to remove barriers to vaccination and ensure that pharmacists are properly remunerated for the vaccination services they provide.”

• Topics:

• Health & Wellbeing
• Vaccination