South Australians will have greater access to free vaccines able to be administered by approved pharmacists from January, helping to relieve pressure on GPs and better protect the community from vaccine-preventable diseases.
The National Immunisation Program Vaccination in Pharmacy Program (NIPVIP), an Australian Government initiative, subsidises community pharmacies to administer the National Immunisation Program.
The program increases access to free vaccines across the state for eligible children and adults aged five and above. Those under five years of age can continue to access childhood vaccines through GPs and local council clinics.
The vaccines available from approved pharmacies to eligible South Australians will protect against the following diseases:
- Diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Pneumococcal disease
- Meningococcal disease
Vaccines will be available for pharmacies to order from the SA Health Vaccine Distribution Centre from 4 January 2024, and are expected to be ready for consumers from late January.
Approved pharmacies may start to offer bookings during January as stock becomes available.
Pharmacists will be able to order the shingles vaccine as supplies become available from the Federal Government.
Vaccines for COVID-19 and influenza are already delivered by community pharmacists.
South Australians can speak to their pharmacist about options and how to book an appointment. For more about eligibility, refer to the website or speak to a pharmacist.
A list of approved pharmacies, and details for pharmacists about the National Immunisation Program Vaccination in Pharmacy Program (NIPVIP), can be found at the SA Health website.
As put by Chris Picton
We are implementing this program to increase access to vaccines administered by pharmacies for South Australian children and adults.
I want to thank the Federal Government for subsidising community pharmacists so they can provide these important vaccines.
This will help to reduce pressure on our hard-working GPs who are doing an incredible job to keep the community safe.
This initiative will also boost the uptake of vaccines, protecting South Australians from preventable illnesses.
As put by Chief Public Health Officer, Professor Nicola Spurrier
Prevention is always better than a cure and immunisation provides the best protection against many infectious diseases.
We will continue to do everything in our power to reduce the rates of vaccine-preventable diseases in our communities.
This increased access via community pharmacies provides greater opportunity for our community to protect themselves, especially in our regional areas.
As put by The Pharmacy Guild of Australia SA Branch state president Nick Panayiaris
The Pharmacy Guild of South Australia welcomes this important announcement from the Health Minister.
It is truly pleasing to see the State government again acknowledge the vital role that our community pharmacies are playing in keeping South Australians healthy and safe.
By enabling community pharmacists to operate towards to their full Scope of Practice, the Malinauskas government is providing greater access to all
