World Immunisation Week, celebrated in the last week of April (24 to 30 April), aims to highlight the collective action needed and to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.
This year’s theme is Long Life for All - In pursuit of a long life well lived.
The event is organised by the World Health Organization which works with countries across the globe to raise awareness of the value of vaccines and immunisation and ensures that governments obtain the necessary guidance and technical support to implement high-quality immunisation programs.
The ultimate goal of World Immunisation Week is for more people – and their communities – to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Community pharmacies across Australia provide a range of vaccination services.
The Guild has always seen pharmacist vaccination as an opportunity for innovation in community pharmacy health service delivery, and the accessibility of community pharmacies makes it easy for patients to get their vaccinations.
This has been highlighted with the COVID-19 pandemic where the importance of community pharmacies providing protection for patients and communities against COVID-19 has been highlighted with nearly seven million vaccinations being delivered through the sector.
National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Trent Twomey, said that since being brought into the vaccination program in July, community pharmacies had provided – and continue to provide – a pivotal element in helping to reach maximum national uptake of vaccines.
“Community pharmacies have been accessible, staying open later and on weekends, and providing vaccinations where people want them, and when they want them,” Professor Twomey said.
“The acceptance of communities to receiving vaccinations in pharmacies is reflected in just how quickly the uptake has been.”
People wanting to find out more information about pharmacies providing vaccination services should go to Find a Pharmacy.
See more details of World Immunisation Week.
