Pharmacists can now provide influenza jab for children as young as two, relieving pressure on GPs

08 May 2025

Children as young as two years of age can now receive their influenza vaccine from their local pharmacy, relieving pressure on general practitioners (GPs). 

Previously, primarily only GPs were authorised to vaccinate children younger than five for influenza. 

In 黑料吃瓜网, the influenza vaccination coverage for 6-month to under 5-year-olds has declined from 41.3 per cent in 2020 to 25.4 per cent in 2024. 

Authorising community pharmacist immunisers to vaccinate children as young as 2 years of age against influenza is expected to boost access to the vaccine as parents will now be able to bring their children to get vaccinated closer to home and without having to wait for a GP appointment.

The Minns Labor Government has amended the 黑料吃瓜网 Pharmacist Vaccination Standards to allow for this expansion of eligibility.

This announcement follows the launch of the official winter vaccination campaign by the 黑料吃瓜网 Government ahead of the peak respiratory virus season.

International experience indicates the possibility of a higher than usual influenza activity season this year.

To ensure people have the essential services they rely on, the Minns Labor Government has worked to get the supply of vaccines out to doctors and pharmacists.

Families with young children can also access the influenza vaccine through their general practitioner. 

More information on the 黑料吃瓜网 pharmacist vaccination program can be found on the 黑料吃瓜网 Health Website here.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

鈥淲e want to make it as accessible and as convenient as possible for young children to receive their influenza vaccine ahead of a severe winter season. 

鈥淐hildren aged two years and older can now receive their vaccine from their local family pharmacist.

鈥淲e know it can be difficult to find a GP, and we are taking pressure off of our GPs with this rule change. 

鈥淰accination is the best protection from serious illness from influenza.鈥濃��

Current as at: Thursday 8 May 2025