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Canberra Today 14°/17° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Flu vaccines from the chemist

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THIS flu season Canberrans will be able to have the influenza vaccine administered by a pharmacist for the first time after a new regulation came into effect this week.

Meegan Fitzharris says the ACT Government has changed the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 to allow pharmacists to administer vaccinations to adult patients without a prescription.

“Allowing pharmacists to administer the influenza vaccine will improve public health and ensure Canberrans can access vaccination in a range of ways,” Meegan said.

“Pharmacist vaccinations will complement existing immunisation services currently available through visits to general practitioners, other primary health providers and workplace vaccination programs.

“I want to reassure the public that pharmacist vaccinations are safe. When administering the vaccines, ACT pharmacists will need to comply with the training, premises, administration and record keeping requirements outlined in the ACT Vaccination Standards.

“The ACT has a good coverage of vaccination for the flu among the community, but we can always do better.

“The introduction of pharmacist vaccination services will increase access and availability of influenza vaccinations for adults. This in turn will help to increase immunity across the ACT community,” said Minister Fitzharris.

[Photo by Aiden Chadwick, attribution licence.]

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