Statement from AMA (NSW) president Dr Kathryn Austin
April 28, 2025
This morning’s announcement that children as young as two can now receive influenza vaccinations from their local pharmacy is a missed opportunity for GPs to address vaccine hesitancy and allay any concerns for families.
At AMA (NSW), we recognise the valuable role pharmacists play and we are fully supportive of measures to address declining vaccination rates which have now become a national and international crisis.
However, there is an avalanche of misinformation in the community on vaccinations and, as GPs, we have real opportunities every day to address the concerns of young families and allay their fears. This age group is one where the input of a trusted GP can make the difference between a child getting vaccinated or not.
AMA (NSW) is urgently calling for practice nurses to be funded by the Federal Government to expand their capacity to deliver vaccinations, allowing families to gain the advice and confidence of their expert family GP.
Contact: 0427 029 291 | kate.benson@amansw.com.au