WA Health and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia (WA branch) are in their second year of a two-year statewide trial involving the administration of National Immunisation Program (NIP) influenza vaccines in community pharmacies. Under this trial, pharmacists will be able to vaccinate individuals aged 65 years and older with the higher immunogenicity influenza vaccine.
National Immunisation Program
Influenza vaccinations provided as part of the NIP should be administered according to recommendations in the Australian Immunisation Handbook (external site) and ATAGI advice on seasonal influenza vaccines (external site).
Authority to vaccinate in Western Australia
Pharmacists in WA are authorised to administer influenza vaccines according to the relevant Structured Administration Supply Arrangement (SASA). See Pharmacists – influenza vaccination under the CEO of Health SASA accordion. Adherence to all SASA criteria is essential in order to vaccinate legally.
Reporting vaccination to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)
All vaccines administered need to be reported to the AIR (external site).
For more information on using AIR, please refer to the Guide to AIR.
To get registered as a provider on the AIR, please complete the application to register form (external site) and email a signed copy to AIR.authorisation@health.wa.gov.au for your state department signature. The WA Department of Health will then forward the form on to the Department of Human Services on your behalf with a copy sent back to you.
Adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) reporting
An AEFI is an unwanted or unexpected event following the administration of a vaccine. The WA Vaccine Safety Surveillance System (WAVSS) is the statewide passive AEFI surveillance system. Find out more information on reporting AEFIs in WA, including how to notify.
Vaccine ordering
Vaccine orders for this trial will be processed through API, Symbion or Sigma wholesale distributors. Please order direct through distributors.
Vaccine cold chain management
The recommended temperature range for vaccine storage is between +2°C and +8°C. A cold chain breach is defined as when vaccine storage temperatures have been outside the recommended +2°C and +8°C range, excluding fluctuations up to +12°C, lasting no longer than 15 minutes, as may occur during restocking.
If government funded vaccines provided under the National Immunisation Program for the pharmacy trial are involved in a cold chain breach, please complete the Vaccine cold chain form – government funded influenza vaccines (Word 100KB). Follow the instructions on the form and contact your relevant Public Health Unit (as listed on the form), to seek thermal stability advice.
Influenza resources
Last reviewed: 02-05-2018
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