Pharmacists in NSW now able to administer vaccinations outside of pharmacy
8 May 2020
Those most vulnerable in New South Wales will now be better protected following an announcement by the NSW Government today that will allow pharmacists to administer vaccinations outside of a community pharmacy.
In a move that has been welcomed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, pharmacists are now able to provide vaccinations in places such as residential aged care settings, Aboriginal Medical Services, private and public hospitals and community health centres as well as community pharmacies.
PSA NSW Branch President Professor Peter Carroll congratulated the NSW Government and welcomed the initiative which will ensure community pharmacists can help vaccinate more people against vaccine preventable diseases such as influenza.
“This will be particularly beneficial to people having difficulties accessing vaccinations, such as those who may be housebound or residents of aged care facilities,” he said.
“At a time when our health care system is under extreme pressure due to COVID-19, increasing options for more people in NSW to access vaccinations is vital.
“We are seeing a particularly large uptake of people accessing the influenza vaccine this year and pharmacists continue to play a role in keeping our communities safe.”
This change comes just two months after the NSW Government announced that pharmacists are able to administer the influenza vaccination to children aged 10 years and above, helping to increase the vaccination rates across the state.
As the peak national body for pharmacists, PSA will continue to work with the NSW Government to remove barriers which restrict pharmacists from administering other vaccines to better protect the community.”
Media contact: PSA NSW State Manager, Simone Diamandis – 0414 574 754
