Tas pharmacists vaccinate
February 8, 2016
CHANGES to the Tasmanian
Poisons Regulations 2008 effective
immediately, allow appropriately
trained pharmacists to administer
influenza vaccines to people
aged over 18, making it easier
for the public to get a flu shot,
the Pharmacy Guild of Australia
Tasmanian Branch president John
Dowling has announced.
Dowling described the new
legislation as “a victory for the
health care consumers of Tasmania,
and a very welcome common sense
measure”.
“The availability of vaccination by
pharmacists will greatly assist the
community’s access to protection
against influenza, particularly in
rural and regional areas where
previously they may have not had
accessibility,” he said.
The arrangement provides
another opportunity for
pharmacists to perform
professional services that benefit
the community while creating
greater accessibiity and inevitably
greater public uptake of the
influenza vaccine in 2016, he
added.
“Offering vaccinations through
pharmacies is a great way to reach
people who may not have had a
flu shot before, which helps to
increase immunity across the entire
community.”
Although pharmacies have been
offering flu shots for some time,
they have thus far only been
administered by a registered nurse.
The Pharmacy Guild said it will
be providing accredited training to
community pharmacists to ensure
pharmacies are ready to go in time
for the 2016 flu season.
The pharmacy they work for will
also need to be approved by the
Director of Public Health, the Guild
explained.
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