Pharmacy Daily | Tas pharmacists get NIP vax access

TASMANIA is falling into line with Victoria, the ACT, NSW and Western Australia, in authorising pharmacies to administer influenza vaccines to patients aged 65 years and older under the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Tasmanian Branch President, David Peachey, said the State Government's decision to open NIP access to pharmacists was a step in the right direction.

"Tasmanian pharmacists have been vaccinating against influenza for many years, and more recently, have made a significant contribution to the COVID-19 vaccination rollout across the state," he said.

"It is great to see the Tasmanian Government now recognises the greater role pharmacists can play in protecting our community against influenza."

While welcoming the move to grant pharmacies access to NIP-funded flu jabs for older Australians, Peachey called on the State Government to authorise pharmacists to administer all vaccines under the program to limit the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases.

"Less than half of at-risk Tasmanian adults are fully vaccinated," he said.

"This includes healthcare workers and those caring for our most vulnerable people in Tasmania.

"Access to funded vaccines is one of the main barriers to uptake of vaccinations.

"Enabling Tasmanians to access NIP vaccines through pharmacy would improve access to and uptake of NIP vaccines and reduce the burden on the healthcare system from vaccine-preventable disease."

Meanwhile, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia's Tasmanian Branch President, Helen O'Byrne, has issued a reminder that people visiting pharmacies in the State are still required to wear face masks to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19.

"We know that people are keen to get back to normal, we all are, however the COVID-19 virus is still with us," she said.

"Wearing a mask is a very easy way to help protect these people from getting infected when they need to be in the pharmacy."