Released 28/04/2026
The ACT Government is marking 10 years since pharmacists were first authorised to administer influenza vaccines in the Territory.
The milestone coincides with World Immunisation Week (24–30 April), which highlights the importance of vaccination in protecting communities of all ages.
At the beginning of the winter flu season, all Canberrans are strongly encouraged to protect themselves, their families, and their friends and colleagues from the worst impacts of influenza by getting vaccinated.
First introduced in 2016, the ACT was among the early adopters of pharmacist vaccination models in Australia.
These reforms expanded access to immunisation and laid the foundation for the broader role pharmacists play in preventative healthcare today.
Over the past decade, pharmacist‑delivered vaccination services have grown significantly, with pharmacists now authorised to administer a broad range of vaccines to help protect Canberrans against vaccine‑preventable diseases.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen‑Smith said she was proud of the reforms to expand the role of pharmacists and improve access to primary healthcare for Canberrans.
“Pharmacists are a trusted part of our primary healthcare workforce and have played an increasingly important role over the past decade in improving access to vaccination for Canberrans,” Minister Stephen‑Smith said.
“Last season, ACT pharmacists delivered more than 75,000 influenza vaccinations, highlighting how these reforms have made it easier for people to access care in their local communities, while supporting a strong, modern immunisation system.
“This year, we have supported even greater access by enabling pharmacists and intern pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines to children from two years of age, where this was previously five years of age.”
Other recent changes have included authorising trained pharmacists with private consultation rooms to provide treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections and re-supply of the contraceptive pill.
“Today I’m proud to announce further reforms that make it easier for people to get the care and medicines they need, closer to home,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“Appropriately trained community pharmacists are now authorised to treat a range of minor skin conditions and to provide prescription continuity for a broader range of oral contraceptive pill options and certain other formulations of hormonal contraception, aligning with recent changes in New South Wales.
“The ACT Government remains committed to further expanded scope of practice reform for our community pharmacists, to support them to deliver more care in the community and improve access across our primary healthcare system.”
The ACT Government is progressing further scope of practice reforms in 2026 to enable pharmacists with appropriate training to treat a wider range of mild, acute conditions, including musculoskeletal pain, reflux, allergic and non‑allergic rhinitis, acne, and acute nausea and vomiting.
For more information about how to access these services, and participating pharmacies, visit the ACT Health website.
For more information on vaccinations and immunisations, visit Vaccines and immunisations - ACT Government.
Quotes attributable to Simon Blacker, President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia ACT Branch:
“Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris’s landmark announcement, ten years ago, to allow community pharmacists to administer influenza vaccinations without a prescription has positively changed public health practice for patients and pharmacists in Canberra forever.
“It also meant that when the COVID pandemic hit our current Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith had confidence in the ability of Canberra’s community pharmacy network to be able to step up and safely vaccinate their communities when they most needed help.
“Community pharmacists are expanding their scope of practice across the country as they complete rigorous training requirements. We look forward to working with the ACT Government to further expand the treatment options that appropriately trained Canberra pharmacists can offer their patients.”
Quotes attributable to Erin Cooper, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) ACT Branch:
"I’m so excited to see the pharmacy profession continue to evolve as we celebrate 10 years of pharmacist vaccination in the ACT.
"I was in my first year of University when ACT pharmacists were first authorised to administer flu vaccines, and now we’re seeing pharmacists granted the ability to vaccinate against a large number of diseases including shingles, covid and RSV and provide essential travel vaccinations. We are also now able to help treat uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections, minor skin conditions and resupply certain hormonal contraceptives.
“Pharmacists are keen to work with the ACT government to ensure pharmacists continue to deliver safe, quality healthcare that protects Canberrans."
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases