NSW expands pharmacists' vaccination role.

Pharmacists in NSW are being empowered to provide vaccination services to eligible patients outside of the community pharmacy setting. 

The measure follows a similar expansion of pharmacists' scope in Victoria (PD 06 April) and also aligns with vaccination rules in the ACT, South Australia (PD 21 April) and Tasmania. 

Welcoming the decision, Pharmaceutical Society of Australia NSW Branch President, Professor Peter Carroll, said pharmacists in the state will now be able to offer vaccination services across a range of settings including, aged care facilities, community health centres and Aboriginal Medical Services. 

“This will be particularly beneficial to people having difficulties accessing vaccinations, such as those who may be housebound or residents of aged care facilities,” he said.

“At a time when our health care system is under extreme pressure due to COVID-19, increasing options for more people in NSW to access vaccinations is vital.

“We are seeing a particularly large uptake of people accessing the influenza vaccine this year and pharmacists continue to play a role in keeping our communities safe.”

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