South Australian Pharmacists may provide a range of vaccination services to their communities including:
SA Health has developed the following documents to provide general information and guidance for pharmacists in South Australia to deliver safe and high-quality vaccine services:
As of January 2025, appropriately trained pharmacists are allowed to administer vaccines in accordance with the instructions in the Australian Immunisation Handbook under regulation 18 (3a) of the Controlled Substance (Poisons) Regulations 2011. Pharmacists administering any vaccines, including under the NIPVIP program should be familiar with their legal and professional obligations.
The SA Health Pharmacist Vaccine Administration Protocols provides information to support pharmacists in the delivery of safe and high-quality immunisation services.
From 1 January 2024, the Australian Government will subsidise community pharmacies to administer the National Immunisation Program (NIP) to eligible people aged over 5 years.
The NIPVIP Program will enable eligible pharmacists to administer vaccines for people aged 5 years and over, as per the NIP South Australian Immunisation Schedule and in accordance with the Australian Immunisation Handbook (AIH).
Program implementation of the NIPVIP will be reviewed and demand for vaccines will be assessed.
For more information about the program, including FAQs, eligibility, claiming and payments, visit the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP) Program Portal.
Vaccines must be administered in accordance with the NIP South Australian Immunisation Schedule (PDF 76KB) and the South Australian legislation.
Information on vaccine storage and how to order supply of government funded vaccines is on the Vaccine ordering and storage webpage.
Distribution of vaccines will be regularly reviewed to ensure vaccine stock is available according to usage.
Please ensure you have read through:
Some vaccines are available for people aged 10 to less than 20 years to catch up on missed vaccines. For more information, see the NIP catch-up schedule for people ≥10 years of age.
To order these vaccines, contact the Immunisation section on 1300 232 272.
As of July 2025, SA Health is supporting pharmacists in accessing the influenza vaccine for children aged 6 months to less than 5 years under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Pharmacists immunising under regulation 18(3a) of the Controlled Substance (Poisons) Regulations 2011 who consider administration to this age group as within their scope of practice may order stock through the Vaccine Distribution Centre (VDC).
The South Australian Government is providing pharmacists with an administration payment, in line with the current NIPVIP payment, for influenza vaccines administered to a child in this age group for the remainder of the National Immunisation Program - 2025 Annual Funded Influenza Program. All VDC registered pharmacy providers have been provided information on claiming this administration payment. Please see the fact sheet linked above for more details. It is important to ensure all vaccines administered are recorded in the Australia Immunisation Register (AIR) as all payment claims will be reconciled against AIR records.
The Australian Government will subsidise community pharmacies to administer NIP vaccines to eligible people aged over 5 years. Not all NIP vaccines are available for ordering for pharmacies.
SA Health funds some additional vaccines under the NIP South Australian Immunisation Schedule (PDF 76KB). This includes the meningococcal B and Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) programs.
Pharmacists are not funded by the Australian Government to administer these. Participating pharmacies administering the JEV vaccine will continue to receive state funding. There is no reimbursement for costs associated with meningococcal B vaccine administration.
Details of state-funded administration payments for influenza vaccine for children aged 6 months to less than 5 years are provided above.
Vaccination providers are mandated to report all NIP vaccines administered to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) records vaccines for people of all ages in Australia. All providers delivering immunisation services must report doses administered to the AIR. To apply to register with AIR, see Immunisation records and registers webpage.
A vaccine administration error occurs when a vaccine is given outside the recommended clinical guideline recommendations and additional clinical management advice is required.
An AEFI is a notifiable condition. Pharmacists are required to report an AEFI to SA Health.
For more information on immunisation program resources to support the delivery of immunisation services are available on the Resources webpage.
Immunisation section
Phone: 1300 232 272
Email: HealthImmunisationadmin@sa.gov.au
