Immunisation Program Expansion Welcomed

Children as young as five will now be able to get their flu shot at their local community pharmacy. Today's announcement by the Andrews Labor Government will make it easier for kids to get their annual flu vaccine at their local pharmacy helping families stay safe this winter.

Victorian Branch President of the Pharmacy Guild, Anthony Tassone, congratulated the Government for this change, which will allow pharmacists to respond to the needs of Victorian families with young children. Welcoming the announcement, he said:

"Being able to deliver flu vaccinations to children from 5 years of age in Victoria is another way community pharmacy can support families to get vaccinated. Since early 2022 pharmacists across Victoria have been able to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to children five years and over. The change is a sensible next step authorising highly skilled and trained pharmacists to administer flu vaccines to children aged five and over. Over 7 million COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered through community pharmacies around the country with nearly 1.6 million of these being delivered in Victoria."

The changes will also see Victoria become the first state to allow pharmacists to administer the Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine to eligible Victorians.

Victoria has seen low rates of the flu over the last two years due to closed international borders and social distancing measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The combination of COVID-19 and a forecast severe flu season makes having a vaccination all the more important this year to help prevent against influenza and its complications.

We encourage everyone to contact your community pharmacy to arrange your family's vaccinations against the flu and COVID-19. Both vaccines can be safely administered at the same time – making it quick and easy to protect yourself and your loved ones.