NSW-based pharmacists can now administer influenza vaccines to children over five years of age.

The new arrangement announced by NSW Health this afternoon comes into effect immediately.

Welcoming the move, Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch President, David Heffernan, said authorising pharmacist immunisers to administer flu vaccines to a broader population would be critical in combatting rising case numbers across the State. 

“This is a very positive decision aimed at protecting the health of people throughout the State,” he said.

“The combination of both COVID-19 and what is anticipated to be a severe flu season makes vaccination against the flu virus all the more important this year.

“Making the vaccination available to everyone five years of age and above, means more people will be protected from the flu.”

In a separate statement, the Therapeutic Goods Administration announced it has released over 95 batches of influenza vaccine, consisting of over 16.8 million doses, for supply in Australia for the 2022 influenza season. 

More details in Monday's issue of Pharmacy Daily.