Why pharmacists can now give vaccinations
It’s a happy new year for NSW chemists, who can now administer three in-demand vaccines via private rooms at local pharmacies.
While the move will help to free up GP waiting rooms, patients will pay for the convenience of a quick jab at the chemist.
Three years after winning the right to inject customers with flu shots, pharmacists in NSW can now administer combined vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella as well as diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
“It will allow us to complement all the good work done by GPs – and it will increase the availability of those particular vaccinations to the community in general,” chemist Richard Walsh said.
No doctor is required, but there are some exclusions.
Those under the age of 16 and those who qualify for free government shots – including the elderly, the chronically ill and pregnant mothers – are among those who cannot access the jabs.
Not every chemist is accredited to give the vaccinations, but there are more than 500 around suburban Sydney who are able to do so.
“Our pharmacy, for example, is open 365 days until nine o’clock, so if [people are] busy at work, they find it very convenient to come after hours,” Mr Walsh said.
The cost for a regular flu shot is about $25, while a triple vaccine costs about $50.
With chemists also pushing to deliver travel vaccines, doctors are worried about those who may experience adverse reactions, particularly anaphylactic shock, after being vaccinated.
Yet Mr Walsh said pharmacists are trained to deal with such incidents.
“Anaphylaxis is going to occur independent of who administers the vaccine,” he said.
