PHARMACIST immunisers in Tasmania will join the state's free influenza vaccination campaign from Mon 06 Jun.
The month-long vaccination blitz announced by Tasmanian Premier and Health Minister, Jeremy Rockliff, will enable pharmacists in the state to administer free shots to residents aged 10 years and older, in contrast to similar schemes in other jurisdictions where children aged five years and older can receive the vaccine in community pharmacies.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Tasmanian Branch President, Helen O'Byrne welcomed the decision to harness "the vaccinating capacity of community pharmacists" to combat rising flu case numbers.
"This is an important community health outcome for the people of Tasmania and will help keep them safe from severe illness," she said.
"While providers have already administered over 200,000 flu vaccinations to Tasmanians, the combination of COVID-19 and the flu makes it all the more important for everyone to be vaccinated against the flu this season.
"This decision to make the flu vaccination available free of charge through community pharmacies is a very pragmatic move in helping ensure there is maximum uptake of flu vaccinations."
Speaking to Pharmacy Daily, O'Byrne said the Guild was continuing to push for Tasmanian pharmacists to be given the green light to administer flu vaccinations to children aged five years and older, in line with COVID-19 vaccines.
She added that pharmacies participating in the program will be able to use their existing vaccine appointment booking and recording platforms, and will be required to bill the Department of Health every fortnight.
"We understand that remuneration will not be the lowest [rate being offered across jurisdictions offering free flu shots] or the highest," she said.
"We will be remunerated at the same rate for National Immunisation Program vaccines and for private vaccinations."
The decision to roll out the free flu shot campaign leaves the ACT and the Northern Territory as the only jurisdictions in the country not to implement a program to boost uptake of the vaccine.
Meanwhile, the Tasmanian Government has also announced that from Sat, free flu vaccines will be available for infants aged six months and older through state-run childhood community vaccination clinics or GP surgeries.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 02 Jun 22
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