South Australians planning overseas travel can now access all their necessary vaccinations directly through local pharmacies, thanks to new regulations introduced by the state government. As of February 2025, trained community pharmacists are authorised to assess and administer vaccinations for common travel-related diseases including hepatitis A and B and typhoid. This initiative aims to provide more convenient and timely access to healthcare services.
Previously, South Australians would have had to visit a specified travel vaccination centre for travel-related vaccines.
The addition of travel vaccinations to the services pharmacists can provide builds upon an already expanded scope of practice. These professionals can administer various other vaccines without a prescription. The intent is to offer an addition to existing services provided by general practitioners and other healthcare providers, increasing the options available to the community.
South Australians are advised to arrange their travel vaccinations between six to 12 weeks before departure. This timeframe ensures adequate development of immunity, as some vaccinations require multiple doses to be fully effective. You can book their vaccinations by contacting participating pharmacies directly or checking online for available sites. It is essential to consult a healthcare provider regarding vaccinations like Yellow Fever, which may have specific requirements.
The service expansion in pharmacies also includes medications for uncomplicated UTIs and the resupply of oral contraceptive pills after consultation with a pharmacist.
According to Health Minister Chris Picton, the goal is to ensure that all South Australians have access to the healthcare services they need without unnecessary delays. Picton said, “Every South Australian should be able to access the treatment they need, when they need it, which is why expanding our state’s accessibility to health care is so important. By further expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice, we are empowering our highly trained pharmacists to vaccinate even more South Australians to provide increased protection against preventable disease.”
The SA Health Chief Pharmacist, Naomi Burgess, said, “Community Pharmacists are highly trained, and pharmacies are an accessible health care setting for the public to receive their medicines and health advice as well as health promotion and preventative services such as vaccination services.”
Matt Gillespie, South Australia Pharmacy Guild President, said, “By providing access to travel vaccines through community pharmacy, the State Government further recognises that safe, accessible vaccination at your local pharmacy will help protect all South Australians from vaccine preventable disease.”
Dr. Manya Angley, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia SA/NT, also praised the new regulations, saying, “South Australia is leading the nation in scope of pharmacist-administered vaccines, a fact that we should be very proud of.”
This initiative not only aims to increase the vaccination rates among travellers but also reduce the incidence and severity of diseases associated with overseas travel, providing a significant health benefit to the community.
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