Pharmacists to give flu jab
South Australian pharmacists will be able to administer flu shots for the first time from March this year.
Health Minister Jack Snelling made the announcement today, citing a Queensland trial of flu shots at pharmacies, which he said saw an additional 11,000 people vaccinated over a five month period.
“The easiest way to prevent catching the flu is to get a vaccination every year, but many people have difficulty finding the time to book an appointment with their GP,” Snelling said.
“Allowing pharmacists to directly administer the flu shot will encourage a greater uptake of the vaccine in 2015.”
However, only those over the age of 16, who are not already eligible for a free flu shot as part of the National Immunisation Program, will be able to have their flu shot at a phamacy.
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People who are eligible for the free vaccine as part of the Annual Influenza Program, including pregnant women, people over 65 and those with underlying health conditions, will still need to visit their GP to receive a free vaccination.
Pharmacists wishing to give flu shots will have to be trained to ensure they have the skills to deliver it safely.
Flu shots have been given at pharmacies before, but they were required to be given by a registered nurse.
Immediate Past President of the Pharmacy Guild SA, Ian Todd, said he supported the change.
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“Pharmacies have long been a place where members of the public can seek advice from a trusted, easily accessible health professional,” he said.
“Offering vaccinations through pharmacies is a great way to reach people who may not have had a flu shot before, which helps to increase immunity across the entire community.”
But President of the Australian Medical Association in South Australia Dr Patricia Montanaro said general practitioners were best equipped to give the vaccination.
“Doctors have the expertise and training on how to make an assessment about the safety of the vaccine for a particular patient, and how to recognise and respond to adverse reactions,” she said.
“By having a flu vaccination at your GP’s practice, you are benefiting from more coordinated care, you have the opportunity to discuss other health issues, and for your GP to ask you other questions and advance your health more generally.
“If it is your regular GP, your medical records are there, and you also have privacy.
“Doctors’ rooms also have the equipment and resources to deal with an adverse reaction. They are a much safer place and offer much more to the patient in terms of the big picture of health care.”
SA Health last year cited high numbers of influenza infection as one of the reasons for severe overcrowding of the state’s hospital system.
South Australia suffered the highest numbers of influenza infection on record in 2014, with more than 11,000 reported cases.
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