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Immunisation

Which vaccines can I get from my community pharmacist?

Under NSW regulation and authorisation, NSW pharmacists who have undertaken appropriate training are able to administer the following vaccines that are subject to the age of the patient:

  • Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough) (dTpa)
  • Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
  • Influenza
  • COVID-19

Why are pharmacists allowed to administer more vaccines?

Before 1 January 2019, NSW pharmacists could only administer the influenza vaccine to individuals aged 18 years and over. Changes to regulations have expanded the vaccines available from community pharmacists. The changes now make the influenza vaccine more readily available to people aged 5 years and over, as well as whooping cough and measles vaccines to people aged 16 years and over. This will be beneficial in areas where access to a GP may be limited. Grandparents and carers of young children and partners of pregnant women will also benefit with having access to the whooping cough vaccine before having contact with a newborn infant. Although the MMR vaccine is free for susceptible young adults from GPs, making the vaccine more readily available will benefit those who do not routinely attend a GP.

Is it safe to be vaccinated by a pharmacist?

Yes. Pharmacists are required to complete a comprehensive training program which includes conducting a pre-vaccination assessment and management of any adverse event that may occur after vaccination. Pharmacists in NSW have been safely administering influenza vaccines since 2015 and no safety concerns have been identified.

Can a 16-year-old consent to vaccination?

Yes. However, the pharmacist can only administer the vaccine if they are certain that the person understands what they are receiving. The pharmacist must perform a pre-vaccination assessment before administering any vaccine.

How will my GP have a record of any vaccinations I receive at a pharmacy?

Your GP will be able to look up your vaccination record via the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). The AIR is a national register that records vaccines given to all people of all ages and information in the Register is accessible by authorised health professionals such as GPs, nurse immunisers and authorised pharmacists, as well as by individuals for their own records and those of their children.