The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has welcomed the Albanese Government’s expanding funding for the National Immunisation Program Vaccination in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) program in aged care and disability homes from 29 April 2024, actioning one of PSA’s key recommendations in its 2024-25 Federal Budget Submission.
Ahead of World Immunisation Week beginning 24 April 2024, the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Hon Mark Butler MP, has announced that pharmacists will be funded to deliver National Immunisation Program vaccines to some of Australia’s most vulnerable priority population groups.
The Minister has also announced that NIPVIP payments will also be indexed in line with Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) indexation from 1 July 2024
PSA Chief Executive Officer, Adjunct Associate Professor Steve Morris welcomed the move, which PSA – as the only peak body representing all of Australia’s 37,000 pharmacists – has been advocating for, to expand access to funded vaccination services to all pharmacists practising in all locations.
“The expansion of the National Immunisation Program Vaccination in Pharmacy program to include pharmacists practising in residential aged care facilities and in disability care will drastically improve the specialised care pharmacists provide to these patients,” Adj. A/Prof Morris said.
“PSA has been supportive of increased investment in pharmacist vaccination services, supporting the delivery of ‘all vaccines, to all ages, in all locations’ – and therefore, pharmacists welcome this announcement.
“It means pharmacists can deliver more services to the priority groups who are the most heavily reliant on vaccines.
“We are continuing to work with governments across Australia on improvements to the accessibility of vaccination services for all Australians ahead of the winter flu season.”
Adj. A/Prof Morris also welcomed the confirmation of service payment indexation in line with indexation of MBS service payments.
“Lifting remuneration to meet the rising costs of service delivery allows pharmacists to continue delivering critical vaccination clinics,” he said.
“Pharmacists continue to be some of the most accessible vaccination providers, supporting increased vaccination coverage around the country. Adequate pharmacist remuneration is critical to ensuring that these essential services delivered by pharmacists can be delivered sustainably, which ultimately protects and maintains equitable access to vaccination services for all Australians.”
