PHARMACISTS are missing out by not providing vaccination services, University of Technology Sydney Community Pharmacy Barometer expert panel member, John Montgomery, says.
Speaking at the launch of the 2018 UTS Pharmacy Barometer, Montgomery expressed dismay that only three out of five pharmacies across Australia have started to provide vaccination services.
"More than 40% of pharmacies not providing vaccinations is an opportunity lost," he said.
Former Pharmaceutical Society of Australia President, Warwick Plunkett, added: "it's surprising more pharmacies haven't taken greater steps to get involved".
"Could it be a case of hype versus hope?" he asked.
The Barometer found that while two-in-five stores had yet to offer services, more than two million Australians received an influenza vaccination in a pharmacy in 2017, with pharmacies that provided vaccination services averaging 58.5 flu jabs a week at an average fee of $21.20.
Pharmacies in the ACT, NT, Queensland and Victoria, reported providing 2.8 pertussis-containing shots a week, with a charge of $38.80 each, while pharmacies in Queensland and the NT reported providing an average of 0.7 measles, mumps and rubella jabs a week, for $18.60.
When asked if they would like to see the range of permitted vaccinations expanded, 60% of pharmacists said yes, with a further 26% unsure and just 14% saying they did not want to add to the vaccines available in pharmacies.
"This presents a profitable business opportunity for pharmacies whilst diversifying the role of the pharmacist," Montgomery said.
Pharmacists expressed a desire to be permitted to administer vaccines on the Childhood Immunisation Schedule, travel vaccinations, tetanus and human papillomavirus vaccine, Gardasil, among others.
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