Pharmacy immunisation trial broadened -Queensland Govt media release

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Coat of Arms

Media Release

JOINT STATEMENT Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman Minister for Health
The Honourable Lawrence Springborg

Wednesday, July 09, 2014 Pharmacy immunisation trial broadened

Queenslanders are now able to be immunised against contagious diseases at their local pharmacy.

The initiative is part of the Queensland Government’s new immunisation strategy launched by Premier Campbell Newman today.

“We will work with the Pharmacy Guild and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia to expand the Queensland Pharmacists Immunisation Pilot (QPIP), to include measles and whooping cough vaccines for adults,” Mr Newman said.

“This will be complemented by a state-wide marketing campaign to increase the uptake of state and commonwealth funded vaccines.

“Trials like this are an important part of improving healthcare delivery in Queensland; helping to ensure we use our health professionals to the best of their ability.”

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the QPIP expansion would be limited to adults with appropriate safeguards to ensure patient safety.

“The same QPIP protections that apply to influenza vaccinations will be extended to these additional vaccines,” Mr Springborg said.

Pharmacy Guild Queensland Branch President Tim Logan said the guild had always hoped the ‘flu vaccination trial would lay the groundwork for the delivery of more professional services through community pharmacies.

“The success of the trial to date shows that Queenslanders are looking for easier access to immunisations,” Mr Logan said.

“Community pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals so we are a natural destination for the delivery of vital immunisation services.

“As an organisation we are delighted to see pharmacists using their skills to improve the health of Queenslanders.”

Mr Springborg said by maximising immunisation rates throughout the state we were on track to protect the vast majority of Queenslanders and achieve sufficient ‘herd immunity’ to protect those who were unable to be vaccinated.

“If we can increase the ease with which people at all ages can access appropriate vaccinations we are more likely to increase immunisation rates,’’ he said.

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Queensland Branch President Professor Lisa Nissen said the QPIP pilot to date was highly successful.

“The convenience of pharmacy vaccination has been widely commented on by consumers as a key benefit of the QPIP service in evaluation forms, which are overwhelmingly positive,” she said.

The expansion of the vaccine trial will form just one part of the Queensland Government’s comprehensive strategy to increase immunisation rates across the state.

Vaccines listed on the National Immunisation Program Schedule are free for eligible children and adults.

To read the strategy, visit the Queensland Government’s publication portal at https://publications.qld.gov.au/( https://publications.qld.gov.au/ ) and search for immunisation.

For more information on immunisation visit the Queensland Government website: www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/immunisation/index.html( http://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/immunisation/index.html )

[ENDS] 9 July, 2014

AUDIO AVAILABLE https://soundcloud.com/qldpremier/immunisation-strategy (external site)( https://soundcloud.com/qldpremier/immunisation-strategy )

Media Contact: Cameron Thompson 0407 585 230

Fast facts:

  • The current trial is taking place at 80 pharmacies across Queensland
  • As at 31 May 2014, pharmacists have administered the influenza vaccine to more than 10,000 consumers
  • Of these consumers;
    • 50 per cent of the patients had been vaccinated before

      • 20 per cent from a GP clinic
      • 8 per cent in pharmacy
      • 6 per cent in the workplace
      • 16 per cent other location
  • A number of patients also opted to have their vaccination in a pharmacy despite being eligible for a free vaccination from their GP. These people included those who had chronic diseases, pregnant women, those aged over 65 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community members

Source: http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/7/9/pharmacy-immunisation-trial-broadened