Vaccination policy: Pointing the needle: In expanded settings

Appropriately trained and qualified pharmacists across all Australian states and territories can administer the influenza vaccine to eligible patients. At the end of last year approximately 11 million Australians were vaccinated against influenza. Information available indicates that approximately 500,000 were administered by pharmacists. Influenza notifications (n=58,099) and influenza-related deaths (n=57) were markedly down on previous years, 5-year notification average 107, 450 and 378 respectively. In December, Minister for Health Greg Hunt praised the efforts of vaccination providers and the role community pharmacists played in reducing the disease burden of the 2018 influenza season.