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Expanded vaccination scope of practice for Community Pharmacy

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In Tasmania, as of 3 January 2024, Authorised Pharmacist Immunisers (API) will be able to independently administer an expanded scope of vaccines subject to completion of required training. 

What is the change?

The 2023 Federal Budget included measures to ‘reduce patient costs and improve services through community pharmacies’, this included funding to enable the administration of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) vaccines from 1 January 2024, pending State and Territory legislation. 

This expands the existing range of vaccines that APIs may administer, which currently includes influenza, COVID-19, MMR and dTpa. 

Why the change?

The change enables greater public access to NIP funded vaccines for those eligible. The introduction of the NIP Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program provides an opportunity to standardise Pharmacist Immuniser training.

Which vaccines will an API be able to independently administer?

The Tasmanian Pharmacist Immunisation Program Guidelines detail approved vaccines and the conditions under which they may be administered by APIs. Updated guidelines that outline this expanded scope and associated training from 3 January 2024 has been uploaded to the webpage. 

Which vaccines are out of scope?

APIs are not able to administer the below vaccines due to specific training requirements, the complexities of administration, limitations on supply or other considerations:

  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
  • Q fever
  • Rotavirus
  • Smallpox (mpox)
  • Tuberculosis
  • Yellow Fever

Prescription only - Travel vaccines:  vaccinations that are provided for the purposes of upcoming travel can only be administered upon receipt of a valid prescription from a nurse or medical practitioner. APIs are unable to independently provide vaccinations for the purposes of travel, as this is a specialty field that requires an accompanying medical consultation.

How do I know if I need to complete additional immunisation training?

To access the expanded scope, APIs need to have completed modules for all vaccines within the expanded scope, including a childhood immunisation module, OR complete a HESA accredited immunisation training program suitable for completion by pharmacists, which includes content for all vaccines within the expanded scope.

 APIs must review the approved vaccines schedule (Tables 2A, 2B and 2C) in the Tasmanian Pharmacist Immunisation Program Guidelines and their immunisation training history. Contact your immunisation training provider to review completed modules. 

APIs are urged to complete refresher training if initial immunisation training was undertaken more than 12 months prior.

APIs are responsible for ensuring they are competent to administer all vaccines from the expanded scope and can provide evidence of completion if required.

What training do I need to complete? 

The Tasmanian Authorised Pharmacist Immuniser Application Guidelines outline the training requirements for pharmacists seeking to renew or apply for initial authorisation as an API.

  • APIs authorised prior to 1 January 2024, who wish to administer the expanded scope of vaccines and access government funded vaccines must: 
    • Complete modules for all vaccines within the expanded scope, including a childhood immunisation module, OR complete a HESA accredited immunisation training program suitable for completion by pharmacists, which includes content for all vaccines within the expanded scope. Pharmacists that have previously completed a HESA accredited course may still be required to undertake additional training. Where available, modules for prescribed vaccines should also be completed.
    • Review and be familiar with the current clinical guidance in the Australian Immunisation Handbook for all vaccines in the expanded scope; additionally, and specific to COVID-19 vaccines, have read the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Reference Guide to support providers to manage storage, handling and administration of COVID-19 vaccines.
  • Following completion of required training, APIs must:
  • Talk to the Responsible Officer of the pharmacy program you work in to ensure they can order government funded vaccines. 
  • All APIs who wish to maintain their immunisation authorisation after 1 January 2025 must: 
    • Complete all the above requirements to be competent to deliver all vaccines within the expanded scope.
    • Complete a renewal application choosing to authorise as a full scope API, as well as a declaration confirming completion of all required training. This must be completed via the immunisation provider portal before 31 December 2024. A copy of the declaration should also be provided to the Responsible Officer of the program(s) you are employed under.
    • Completion of the additional training is a condition of administering the expanded scope of vaccines and for renewal of authorisation for 2025. 
    • Responsible Officers of Pharmacy Vaccination Programs are responsible for ensuring all employed APIs are competent to administer all vaccines from the scope of practice.
  • If you are not yet an API, but are planning to authorise in the future:
    • From 1 January 2024: all pharmacists applying for initial authorisation as an API must complete a HESA accredited immunisation training program that is suitable for completion by pharmacists. The course must include content for all vaccines within the expanded scope.
    • Please note that from 1 January 2024, unaccredited Pharmacist Immuniser training courses are no longer accepted where the individual has not previously been an API in Tasmania, or a Pharmacist Immuniser in another jurisdiction. We urge all prospective immunisers to review the accreditation standard of their training to ensure it meets the minimum requirements for authorisation in Tasmania.
    • We expect that from mid-2024, the PSA, UTAS and Pharmacy Guild courses will all be HESA accredited.
  • How do I apply to renew my Authorised Pharmacist Immuniser approval and vaccination Program Approval in 2024?
    • The Immunisation Provider Portal will be available from early January 2024 for all API and Program Approval applications to be completed. A link to this system is forthcoming and will be accessible through a link on the Immunisation team webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions

These providers have developed the required vaccine modules, and these are available for APIs to access and upskill. 

From 1 January 2024, APIs that have completed the recognised training to administer NIP and privately funded vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, will be able to independently administer select age-appropriate vaccines for individuals aged ten (10) years and older. 

For example, this includes Boostrix (dTpa) and Gardasil 9® (9vHPV) for year 7 students, Nimenrix® (MenACWY) for year 10 students, Adacel® (dTpa) for pregnant women, Shingrix® (VZV) for individuals aged 65 years and over, Prevenar 13® (pneumococcal) to individuals aged 70 years, among others. 

To enable an expanded scope of vaccination practice, minimum training expectations are being harmonised to ensure consistent levels of training across the pharmacy sector and to be comparable with expectations for Authorised Nurse Immunisers in Tasmania. Ensuring all Pharmacist Immunisers are comparably trained enables whole-of-program scope to be expanded and gives assurance that standardised, minimum training has been completed. Doing so also allows for greater and more consistent community access to vaccination services.

From 1 January 205, no. APIs who wish to remain authorised to administer vaccines in Tasmania beyond 1 January 2025, will need to have completed modules for all NIP and privately funded vaccines, training for COVID-19 vaccines, and hold a certificate of competency from a recognised training provider. 

Authorisation to vaccinate within Tasmania will be revoked if the additional training has not been completed by this date.

From 1 January 2024: all pharmacists applying for initial authorisation will now be required to have completed a HESA accredited Pharmacist Immuniser course. Courses completed from unaccredited providers will no longer be accepted.

The Health Education Services Australia (HESA) provides accreditation of immunisation education programs against the National Immunisation Education Framework for Health Professionals. Courses that are currently HESA accredited

Pharmacies with a DoH vaccination Program Approval which includes provision of expanded scope vaccines will be able to access government funded vaccines. These pharmacies will be able to apply for a Vaccine Ordering Account (VOA) and will be enrolled onto the DoH Vaccine Ordering System, allowing them to order funded vaccines. Pharmacies who have previous participated in the NIP influenza vaccination program will not be required to reapply for a VOA.

Government funded vaccines will be coordinated through Sigma Healthcare.

  • Initially, vaccines will be available to order via Sigma Healthcare’s online ordering portal. Later, ordering will transition to the DoH’s Vaccine Ordering System. Further information on the new ordering system will be provided when available. Please refer to the Tasmanian Pharmacist Immunisation Program Guidelines for further information on vaccine ordering. Please note that from 2024, state funded Measles, Mumps, Rubella (M-M-R-II®) vaccine will only be available from Sigma Healthcare.

Pharmacies that have not previously been approved to order funded vaccines can apply to access funded vaccines by completing an Application for Government Funded Vaccines and submitting this to the Immunisation team. This is available in Pharmacies Ordering Government Funded Vaccines.

Vaccines can be ordered as frequently as required, with orders typically delivered the following business day. Pharmacies are urged to consider this when ordering to avoid overstocking. Pharmacies will be required to order a minimum of 10 vaccines total for the order to be processed. Further information is available in Pharmacies Ordering Government-funded Vaccines.

The initial supply of funded vaccines may also be capped to ensure equal and equitable distribution, as well as reducing the potential for vaccine wastage. Limits on vaccine orders will be reviewed once the program has stabilised.

Pharmacies are encouraged to move to a client booking system to schedule vaccination appointments, manage required stock and ultimately limit vaccine wastage.

Government funded vaccines must only be administered to those who are eligible.

Yes. Ensure the student has not previously received a dose of HPV vaccine by checking the AIR prior to administration. As part of routine pre-vaccination screening, confirm the student is not immunocompromised and only requires a single dose of HPV vaccine. Gardasil 9® is free under the NIP up to and including age 25.

Pharmacists should also determine whether consent for vaccination via the SBIP has been withdrawn, as failure to do so could result in inadvertent duplicate vaccination. Withdrawal of consent is a manual process and requires the parent/guardian of the school aged child/adolescent to contact the council responsible for the program and request that consent be withdrawn.

Yes. However, catch-up schedules, especially involving immunisation records in languages other than English can be complex and time consuming. Consider referring to their regular GP or contacting the Immunisation team at Public Health Services for support (call 1800 671 738 and press the Immunisation option). 

Government funded catch-up vaccines are available for those up to age 20 (up to age 25 for Gardasil 9®). 

Refugees and humanitarian entrants are eligible for NIP funded vaccines at any age. Other overseas arrivals, and those over eligible ages must purchase private vaccines.

Refer to the Australian Immunisation Handbook and National Immunisation Program Schedule for further information.

No. Independent initiation (i.e. without a prescription) of travel vaccines is currently out of scope. This is because vaccination is only one component in the provision of high-quality pre-travel healthcare. Travel medicine is a specialised field of healthcare that focuses on prevention and treatment strategies for travel-related illnesses. 

Pre-travel health consultations play a vital role in preparing travellers for potential health issues during their journeys. They allow clinicians to assess individual health risks, communicate them effectively and manage them through various measures. This includes providing accurate and up-to-date advice on health risks, appropriate vaccinations, medications, and travel health products tailored to a traveller’s specific travel destination(s) and individual health profile. However, if a family presents with a valid prescription from a medical or nurse practitioner, an API is able to administer following usual pre-vaccination screening and consent is obtained. 

The “Funded Immunisation Schedule – Tasmania” outlines all vaccines available under the NIP and state funded programs, and eligible ages. You can also refer to Attachment 3 in the document Pharmacies Ordering Government-funded Vaccines to review the products that are available for pharmacies to order. These documents have been forwarded to all those pharmacies who have an immunisation program approval, and can also be accessed on our website

Please ensure that you check the Australian Immunisation Handbook for dose numbers and intervals, and to check eligible medical conditions for certain vaccines. If a person does not fit the eligibility requirements, they must purchase the vaccine from private stock.

If unsure, you can email [email protected], or phone us on 1800 671 738 for advice.