Kia ora from… Michael Hammond

This week I took the opportunity to talk to the public about how valuable pharmacists are as a vaccinating workforce.

On Monday I was interviewed by Kathryn Ryan on Radio New Zealand's Nine to Noon programme to discuss an investigation into three suspended pharmacies. Reports have suggested that patients were receiving unnecessary immunisations.

Health NZ – Te Whatu Ora and Medsafe are investigating the three pharmacies concerned.

I reassured her that what was alleged to have happened was not indicative of wider issues in pharmacy. It is unfair for the alleged actions of a few to undermine the good work of a whole profession.

I talked about the rigorous training the pharmacy workforce goes through to be able to deliver vaccines.

I highlighted the work that everyone puts into the winter influenza campaigns and highlighted how pharmacists proved themselves as a critical part of the vaccination workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This has continued with provision of adult vaccinations over the last couple of years, and now pharmacists are supporting an increase in access to vaccinations for patients and their whanau by also vaccinating children.

As of last month, pharmacies around the country are able to provide several funded vaccines for under five-year-olds, which previously were only available through a GP practice. This is part of a bid by Te Whatu Ora and Pharmac to lift immunisation rates.

Given how hard it can be for people to get on the books of a GP, pharmacists can play a valuable role in boosting both adult and childhood vaccination rates. We are a “bridge” back to general practice. We are putting patient welfare first.

Listen to the RNZ interview here.