Proposal to allow pharmacists to provide childhood vaccinations

A proposal which would allow pharmacists to administer babies' six week, and three month, five month, and 12 month vaccinations is drawing mixed opinions from doctors. Te Whatu Ora and Pharmac's joint plan would mean families who don't have access to a general practice could visit a pharmacy for several funded vaccines. Pharmacies can already administer vaccines for older children. It includes the immunisations for tetanus, polio, rotavirus, whooping cough, meningococcal, and hepatitis B, some of which are combined vaccines. It's a bid to bolster vaccination rates among children, which have been declining in recent years. Whanau Awhina Plunket says it supports any initiative which makes it easier for families to access the service. However there are also concerns within primary care. Dr Angus Chambers, is chair of GenPro - the General Practice Owners Association, and Dr Nick Chamberlain is Te Whatu Ora National Public Health Service national director.