With the NSW Government’s expansion of its pharmacist vaccination program on New Year’s Day, needles for diseases such as whooping cough and measles will be available at your local chemist shop or pharmacy by trained pharmacists, along with a range of other injections including diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (dTpa) to anyone over the age of 16. However, the change was not welcomed by the NSW Australian Medical Association president Dr Kean-Seng Lim who warned it could lead to further fragmentation of healthcare.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall joined the Minister for Health Brad Hazzard in welcoming the changes.
Mr Marshall said people would now have more choice when it came to vaccination which was a great thing.
ALSO READ:
“We know all too well that at times it can be difficult to access a local GP and those who can often have to wait,” he said
“That’s why having the option of seeing a trained pharmacist for your vaccination makes things so much easier and quicker.
“It is also a public recognition of the professionalism, training and experience of our local pharmacists.”
Being vaccinated is so important for the health of our communities, especially our children.
- Adam Marshall
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said vaccinations were one of the greatest public health achievements in NSW.
“Now, with this additional range of vaccinations available from pharmacists, we want to encourage new grandparents, carers of infants, and partners of pregnant women to get vaccinated to ensure they don’t catch whooping cough and pass it on to their babies,” Mr Hazzard said.
Dr Lim said a needle was more than a needle and it should be part of a comprehensive check up.
“GPs use the vaccinations as an opportunity to discuss other health problems or health risks,” Dr Lim said.
Mr Marshall said people eligible for free government-funded vaccines, including children under five years of age, Aboriginal people, those with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and people over 65, will still need to access these vaccines via their GP, so they can get a health assessment at the same time.