Vaccine rule changes every Aussie should know

Australians will no longer have to pay for vaccines at their local community pharmacy from January first.

In the New Year, Australians can book an appointment with their local pharmacists for all vaccinations on the Commonwealth government’s National Immunisation Programme (NIP).

Although Australians have been able to get vaccinations from their local pharmacies for a while, they’ve always had to pay out of pocket when they go to their pharmacist instead of seeing their doctor.

However, most Aussies were taking the hit for this out-of-pocket expense, as the wait time to secure an appointment with a doctor for shots was up to four days in a capital city or even four weeks in a regional area.

The Pharmacy Guild’s national president, Professor Trent Twomey, is excited about the changes to the National Immunisation Program.

‘This is great news for Australians, great news for Australian families, which means they no longer have to wait secure an appointment with a general practitioner,’ he said.

The changes will mean that patients have greater choice and convenience about where they get their vaccination.

Professor Twomey says having more pharmacists able to administer the vaccines will also free up more appointments at doctors’ surgeries.

‘There is no wrong door. You can continue, if you wish, to see your doctor but you now have that extra choice to be able to ask your community pharmacist for more vaccinations from January 1,’ Professor Twomey said.

With more than 6000 community pharmacies in Australia, Professor Twomey says the majority of those are going to be open over the course of the festive season, after hours appointments, evenings and weekends /public holidays making it easier to secure appointments.

Patients wanting to find their nearest community pharmacy can visit www.findapharmacy.com.au

Australian’s who have been getting their vaccinations (pictured) have mostly had to pay out of pocket to get the treatment