An overhaul of the Vaccine Code in South Australia will allow pharmacists to administer 10 more types of vaccinations, as well as expanding pharmacy eligibility of existing immunisations to wider groups of patients.

The changes follow a review by SA Health's Chief Pharmacist and consultation with health professional organisations, with Chief Public Health Officer, Nicola Spurrier, saying the expanded range of pharmacist administered vaccinations will help to increase access and uptake of additional vaccines, providing greater protection to the community.

"During the busy winter months and beyond, this will help ease demand on GPs and help alleviate pressure on our health services," she said.

The changes apply to how South Australian pharmacists administer the following vaccinations:
• JEV vaccine to persons aged five years and over;
• Measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (in combination) to persons aged 10 years and over;
• Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus vaccine (adult formulation in combination) to persons aged 10 years and over;
• Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio vaccine (adult formulation in combination) to persons aged 10 years and over;
• Inactivated polio vaccine to persons aged 10 years and over;
• Meningococcal ACWY vaccine to persons aged 10 and over;
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine to persons aged 10 years and over;
• Hepatitis A vaccine to persons aged 10 years and over;
• Hepatitis B vaccine to persons aged 10 years and over;
• Hepatitis A and B combination vaccine to persons aged 10 years and over;
• Meningococcal B vaccine to persons aged 10 years and over;
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to persons aged 10 years and over;
• Varicella only (chickenpox) vaccine to persons aged 10 years and over;
• Herpes zoster vaccine to persons aged 50 years and over.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia SA/NT Manager, Helen Stone, hailed the move, saying “as medicine safety experts and one of our most accessible frontline health workforces, pharmacists can play a greater role in improving access to medicines and health care for South Australian patients to enable better health outcomes".

More details in Monday's issue of Pharmacy Daily.