From today trained WA pharmacists can immunise the public against more illnesses such as whooping cough, measles and strains of meningococcal disease. They can already administer the flu vaccination.

The low risk vaccines will be able to be given to people over the age of 16 and training in the form of an online module will be offered for pharmacists.

However Australian Medical Association WA President Dr Andrew Miller told Oliver Peterson he believes doctors are the most qualified person for the job.

“We don’t believe this is a step forward for health.

“Convenience isn’t always the best.”

The Pharmacy Guild of WA has welcomed the news with President Andrew Ngeow telling Oliver this is about being a public health measure.

“We’ve seen the tragedy that the recent flu season. We don’t want to pick up the paper to see similar things with measles and whooping cough.”

It’s expected the remainder of untrained pharmacists will complete the module by October the State Government recommends checking with your local pharmacy before going in for a jab.

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