Trained pharmacists in NSW join GPs and accredited nurses in being able to give a range of injections, including for measles and whooping cough, for anyone over the age of 16, Port Macquarie MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Health Leslie Williams said.

Pat Roser took advantage of the changes when she received a vaccination from Port Macquarie community pharmacist Judy Plunkett on January 9.

Pat took the step to ensure she is protected against whooping cough when her third grandchild arrives into the world.

NSW pharmacists could only administer the flu vaccine to people aged 18 and over before the changes.

Trained pharmacists can now administer specified vaccines including privately-purchased vaccines for the flu, diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough and measles-mumps-rubella to people 16 years and over.

Ms Plunkett said it was a great step forward for the community and for the overall health of the community because it would improve immunisation levels.

Mrs Williams echoed those comments.

She said more people would be vaccinated as vaccinations would be more accessible through pharmacies.

Pharmacists will record all vaccinations on the Australian Immunisation Register.

“It’s very transparent and takes the load off doctors’ surgeries for something that pharmacists are qualified to be able to do,” Ms Plunkett said.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (NSW Branch) welcomed the expansion of vaccination services.

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