THE South Australian Government is considering lowering the age for pharmacist influenza vaccination to patients as young as 10 years old, in the wake of this year's "horror influenza season".
Currently pharmacists in SA can only immunise people aged 16 and up, with the state's Health Minister, Stephen Wade, saying lowering the age would boost the proportion of vaccinated children.
More than 100 South Australians have died from influenza this year.
SA Chief Public Health Officer, Nicola Spurrier, noted that increasing pharmacist vaccination to include younger children would make it easier for families to ensure they were protected.
The South Australian Branch of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia hailed the proposals, saying such a move would "bring Australia a step closer to national harmonisation of flu vaccination delivery through community pharmacies".
Currently children aged 10 and up can be vaccinated by pharmacists in Western Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.
"Lowering the minimum age of pharmacist-administered flu vaccinations will undoubtedly improve access and save more lives," said SA Guild Branch President, Nick Panayiaris.
"Clearly pharmacists are part of the solution and giving pharmacists the ability to practise at their full scope, applying their training and expertise will bring great benefits to our health system."
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