The Victorian Government is making it easier and more convenient for Victorians to get their annual flu shot and other important immunisations through their local pharmacy.
“Victorians are rightly concerned about coronavirus — but we should not forget the flu, which is another highly contagious virus with the potential to cause serious illness or death,” Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said.“We’re reducing the burden on our health system by making it easier for the whole family to go to the pharmacist and receive their flu shot this winter.
“By getting more health professionals involved in our fight against this year’s flu season, more of our doctors and nurses can focus on other health conditions.”
Victorian pharmacists can administer approved vaccinations outside their normal location — through the mobile and outreach services of a hospital, pharmacy or pharmacy depot, increasing access to immunisations for all Victorians.
It is also easier for younger Victorians to get these lifesaving immunisations from their local pharmacy.
Appropriately trained pharmacists can now administer the flu shot to children 10 years of age and older.
Pharmacists will also be able to administer the measles-mumps-rubella, meningococcal ACWY and whooping cough-containing vaccines to people 15 years of age and older — protecting young people from deadly diseases that, combined with the threat of coronavirus, could overwhelm the state’s hospitals.
With 87 per cent of Victorians residing within 2.5km of a pharmacist, a trip to the local pharmacy is often more convenient than a trip to the GP.
Attending a pharmacy or a GP to get a flu shot is a valid reason to leave the house under the chief health officer’s stage three directions, providing social distancing is practised wherever possible.
Since last flu season, Victoria has more pharmacists trained to provide immunisations and more locations to provide these services in, making it more convenient than ever before.
Pharmacists have been provided with advice about physical distancing, hygiene and infection control in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
