THE Therapeutic Goods Administration has updated its guidance for advertising of vaccination services, reminding pharmacists there are strict controls around the release of information to the public.
All vaccines for human use are classified as prescription-only, meaning advertising of these medicines to consumers is banned.
Thus while advertising of immunisation of vaccination services themselves is not prohibited, pharmacies must avoid using information that might enable consumers to identify the particular vaccine being used or its manufacturer.
The TGA has recommended that advertisements for seasonal influenza vaccination services inform the public that it is either a "trivalent" or "quadrivalent" vaccine, as well as informing that influenza vaccines are free to people from high-risk groups identified in the National Immunisation Program and that these people should seek advice from a medical practitioner.
Any ads for vaccination services must also avoid using price comparisons, incentives to encourage consumers to obtain the service, representations that harmful effects will occur from not being vaccinated, or references to any misleading therapeutic benefit.
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