Following the successful Queensland trial of pharmacist-delivered flu vaccinations, the state government, which is jointly running the trial with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA), announced on July 9, 2014, it will extend the pilot trial to cover other vaccinations, including measles and whooping cough in adults.

The jointly conducted Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot (QPIP) trial that coincided with the 2014 influenza season, has seen more than 10,000 people successfully vaccinated by pharmacists throughout Queensland.

The Queensland Government announced its detailed vaccination strategy today with a focus on children, adolescents and adults. In particular, the strategy will aim to boost the State’s childhood vaccination rates to 95 per cent; expand the QPIP trial and launch a vaccination app to remind parents of when their children’s vaccinations are due. The strategy also incorporates the roll-out of a $3-million incentive scheme for hospitals and health services to find innovative ways to vaccinate children.

The QPIP trial, including measles and whooping cough vaccinations, will commence September, 2014.