| NSW has become the second jurisdiction in Australia to introduce a free influenza vaccination program.
The scheme will authorise pharmacist immunisers in the State to administer free flu shots to patients (aged five to 64 years) who are not eligible for Commonwealth-funded jabs through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
The program, which will run from 01 to 30 Jun, has been welcomed by Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch President, David Heffernan, who said the decision reflected the State Government’s commitment to helping protect residents in NSW from what is emerging as a very severe flu season.
“Harnessing the vaccinating capacity of community pharmacists is crucial to tackling all avoidable hospitalisations. This is an important community health outcome for the people of NSW,” he said.
“Building on the Guild members’ work during the COVID pandemic, NSW Health has chosen the Guild Corporate Vaccination Program as one of the providers to facilitate this mass-vaccination program.
“All NSW community pharmacies that offer vaccination services will have the opportunity to participate in this program, including those who are not currently participating in the Guild Corporate Vaccination Program.”
The announcement came two days aged the NSW Government gave pharmacist immunisers the green light to administer flu shots to children aged five years and older (PD breaking news).
More details in tomorrow's issue of Pharmacy Daily.
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