Case for Pharmacist Administered Vaccinations in Australia

Abstract

Background Pharmacists in Portugal, New Zealand, the UK and USA are able to administer vaccines. Despite international trends, current jurisdictional regulations prevent Australian pharmacists from administering vaccines. Aim To assess if there is a case for pharmacist administered vaccination (PAV) in Australia. Discussion Studies and government data indicate suboptimal uptake of some vaccines in Australia. Over the past two decades, PAV services have been introduced successfully in some developed countries. Available literature revealed PAVs provided significant benefits in these countries, such as increased vaccination uptake and subsequent decreased disease burden and associated cost benefits. PAVs are in line with Australian government policy and priorities. The pharmacy profession, guided by peak professional bodies, has demonstrated a willingness to embrace PAVs based on appropriate competencies and broadening health delivery options to the public. Conclusion There is a case for PAV services in Australia. It is not possible to adopt an overseas model of PAVs in Australia without significant modification to its unique immunisation program, which incorporates a different funding and governance system.

Evaluation of Vaccination Training in Pharmacy Curriculum: Preparing Students for Workforce Needs

“…Vaccination and injection skills training has been taught in some Australian pharmacy degree curriculums since 2013 [ 1 ]. Indeed, training was being taught in pharmacy schools before pharmacists were administering vaccinations in the practice setting [ 1 , 2 ].…”

Pharmacist health coaching in Australian community pharmacies: What do pharmacy professionals think?

“…The interviews with stakeholders raised several barriers to the integration of health coaching services into Australian community pharmacy practice. A similar discussion arose when the case for pharmacist administered vaccinations was considered in Australia (Bushell, Yee, Ball, & Ball, ; Hattingh et al, ). These encompassed patient safety, pharmacist skills and remuneration (Burt, Hattingh, & Czarniak, ; Hattingh et al, ).…”

“…These encompassed patient safety, pharmacist skills and remuneration (Burt, Hattingh, & Czarniak, ; Hattingh et al, ). However, the barriers to pharmacist vaccination services in Australia were overcome through: comparative analysis of successful pharmacist vaccination services internationally, pharmacist training and government support (Bushell et al, ; Hattingh et al, ; Moles & Stehlik, ). As such, the service has since been successfully implemented into Australian pharmacy practice (Hattingh et al, ; Moles & Stehlik, ).…”

An Initiative to Ensure Profession Preparedness

“…An emerging role for pharmacists is the administration of vaccines [1]. In December 2013 a case for pharmacist administered vaccinations was published [2] and the Pharmacy Board of Australia announced via a communiqué that vaccination is within the current scope of practice for pharmacists in Australia [3] .…”