Expansion of the Community Pharmacy Immunisation Program will provide Western Australians with greater vaccination options.
Western Australia's Minister for Health, the Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson approved the expansion, which takes effect today, in line with the Commonwealth Government's implementation of the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy.
Pharmacist immunisers who have completed training on the relevant vaccines will be able to administer the following vaccines to eligible individuals aged 5 years and over:
* Diphtheria
* Hepatitis B
* Herpes Zoster
* Human Papillomavirus
* Influenza
* Measles
* Meningococcal
* Mumps
* Pertussis
* Pneumococcal
* Polio
* Rubella
* Tetanus
* Varicella
Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch President, Mr Andrew Ngeow welcomed the announcement on behalf of Western Australian community pharmacies.
"Today's announcement will mean that participating community pharmacies across the state will be authorised and available to administer these vaccines," Mr Ngeow said.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia WA Branch thanks Minister Sanderson and the Western Australian government for their ongoing commitment to community pharmacy.
"Western Australia's 680 community pharmacies continue to show their capacity to deliver public health services, and this expansion will ensure greater patient access to lifesaving vaccinations," Mr Ngeow said.
At a time when there continues to be difficulties accessing other vaccination providers, community pharmacies are the destination for an accessible, convenient, and safe vaccination.
"Community pharmacies involvement in vaccination will continue to deliver positive outcomes for individual patients and the Western Australian community. I would urge patients to speak with their community pharmacy about their vaccination options," Mr Ngeow concluded.
As we commence a new year, the WA Branch will continue working with the Western Australian government on a broadened suite of services which community pharmacy can deliver to patients across all regions of the state.
