URGENT steps need to be taken to extend pharmacist vaccination services around the globe to boost access to immunisations, the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) says.
Speaking at the FIP Virtual 2020 web-conference this week, FIP CEO, Dr Catherine Duggan, said "there is no time to waste to ensure equitable access to vaccines and vaccination services to all people across the world".
Duggan told delegates it is "an ethical and public health imperative" to diversify vaccination pathways to boost uptake.
"FIP calls on governments to recognise and fully harness the full potential of community pharmacies in public health, primary healthcare and disease prevention strategies, including vaccination," she said.
"[And] to invest in prevention strategies, including vaccination services by all providers, including pharmacists to be truly integrated as part of the healthcare team and to ensure equity of access to vaccinations and sustainability of the service."
Duggan added that governments needed to act now to implement legislation to ensure that all available immunisers are eligible to administer vaccinations for COVID-19 or any future pandemic as soon as they become available, to ensure "no one is left behind" and to relieve the burden of vaccine preventable diseases.
"Pharmacists can play an even greater part in the fight against COVID-19 and future pandemics, and even just within the societies in which we live," she said.
The FIP CEO also issued a call for governments around the world to integrate pharmacists in emergency preparedness and response plans.
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