PHARMACISTS in Victoria will be able to immunise patients with the MMR vaccine from next Mon 22 Oct, with the age of access for pharmacist vaccinations in the state also lowered to 16 years.
The move was announced two months ago (PD 13 Aug 2018) and a joint communiqu from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the Pharmacy Guild and the Victorian Department of Health & Human Services has provided further detail around the plan.
Victorian pharmacist immunisers will be authorised to administer the vaccine to individuals aged 16 and over, but the update notes they are not authorised to provide the vaccination for travel purposes, hospital inpatients or people with contraindications defined in the current edition of the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Pharmacist immunisers in Vic will also be authorised to administer influenza and pertussis vaccines to people aged 16 and over, with consent from a parent or guardian required for those under 18.
Pharmacists are expected to maintain competency through continuing professional development, and must report all vaccines administered to the Australian Immunisation Register.
The Victorian Government noted that "pharmacists play an important role in the delivery of opportunistic immunisation, and improving access to vaccinations for people who are most at risk of complications from some preventable diseases".
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 15 Oct 18
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 15 Oct 18
