Pharmacist vaccination program needs more

Media Release

25 February, 2020

A First Step: Comprehensive Travel Medicines Package & NIP access still needed

The Pharmacy Guild Queensland has cautiously welcomed the recent announcement from Queensland Health enabling appropriately trained community pharmacists to administer a wider variety of vaccinations, including influenza vaccinations to persons aged 10 years and above – but says the Department’s announcement does not go far enough.

In a statement last night, Queensland Health highlighted that the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulations 1996, the DTP-Pharmacist Vaccination Program and Queensland Pharmacists Vaccination Standard have been amended to:

•  Enable pharmacists and trainee pharmacists under the direction and personal supervision of an authorised pharmacist to administer the influenza vaccine and adrenaline to a person who is 10 years or more; and
• Enable pharmacists and trainee pharmacists under the direction and personal supervision of an authorised pharmacist to administer to a person who is 16 years or more cholera; diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (dTpa); diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and poliomyelitis (dTpa-IPV); Haemophilus influenzae type B; hepatitis A; meningococcal ACWY; poliomyelitis; and measles, mumps rubella (MMR) vaccines. The dTpa stock shortage limitation on the administration of dTpa-IPV has been removed.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch President Professor Trent Twomey said the change will help build herd immunity, but access to a more comprehensive package of measures, is needed to see a drastic improvement.

“A comprehensive travel medicines program needs to include, all travel vaccinations to ten years of age, relevant antibiotics and antimalarials and other agents for conditions such as altitude illness, venous thromboembolism and jet lag,” Professor Twomey said.

“Our strategic advocacy has got us to this point, but there is more work to be done. We’ll continue to work with Minister Miles to ensure that a comprehensive travel medicines and vaccinations program is rolled out across Queensland.

“2019 was the worst flu season in Queensland in almost two decades with an average of five people per week dying due to the disease.

“With the spread of the Coronavirus, it is expected Australia’s flu season will be even more significant in 2020. In addition, we’re seeing a rise in measles and other diseases in Queenslanders who have travelled overseas.

“Last year, trained Queensland community pharmacists administered over 200,000 flu vaccinations and over 2 million nationally, helping to build “community immunity” against the flu.

“Pharmacists are highly trained, trusted and easily accessible health professionals. Thanks to this sensible decision by the Government, we look forward to offering even more protection for Queenslanders,” Professor Twomey said.

Source: The Pharmacy Guild of Australia.