From updated pneumococcal recommendations to new travel vaccines, these are the updates every vaccinating pharmacist needs to know.
Pharmacist-led vaccination continues to evolve at an unprecedented rate. From updates of the National Immunisation Program (NIP) to changing recommendations for respiratory viruses, vaccinating pharmacists need to keep a finger on the pulse.
At PSA26, the dedicated vaccination stream is set to unpack the latest evidence, guideline changes and practical approaches to vaccination services in community pharmacy.
Ahead of chairing the vaccination stream at PSA26, outgoing PSA Vaccination Ambassador, Anna Theophilos MPS, said these sessions aim to provide delegates with the latest clinical updates, practical communication strategies and confidence across different areas including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccination.
Here are the key talks vaccinating pharmacists can’t miss.
1. RSV is worse than influenza this year. Vaccination is critical.
RSV has officially overtaken influenza for the first time as Australia’s most dominant winter illness, with experts urging elderly Australians to get vaccinated.
While 1.76 million older Australians have received their flu shot this season, only 720,000 in the same demographic have received their free RSV vaccine.
‘RSV has rapidly become one of the most important respiratory vaccines for pharmacists to understand,’ Ms Theophilos said. ‘It’s about recognising that RSV isn’t just a winter cold; it can cause significant illness in older adults and other high-risk groups.’
At PSA26, the ‘RSV update: who, what and when’ session, Dr Archana Koirala, Clinical Lecturer and Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunisation Specialist, as well as Staff Specialist at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS), will explore the latest evidence, current recommendations and practical counselling strategies to help pharmacists confidently advise eligible patients.
‘The RSV session will provide practical guidance on identifying eligible patients, timing vaccination and having confident conversations in practice,’ Ms Theophilos said.
2. We should focus on avoiding the ‘broader consequences’ of COVID-19 infection
Despite no longer dominating headlines, COVID-19 protection remains important – particularly for vulnerable groups.
COVID-19 vaccinations are currently free for everyone in Australia, including those without a Medicare card.
However, changes are approaching with the COVID-19 Vaccination in Community Pharmacy (CVCP) Program ceasing on 1 October 2026, when COVID-19 vaccination officially moves onto the NIP.
‘Many patients now think COVID-19 is only about preventing a few days of respiratory symptoms, but we know infection can have much broader consequences, particularly for people with cardiovascular or respiratory risk factors,’ Ms Theophilos said.
Dr Koirala’s second session, ‘Boosted by pharmacy: The continuing need for COVID-19 protection’ examines the current COVID-19 landscape and the latest Australian recommendations, helping pharmacists confidently answer one of the most common questions in practice: ‘Do I still need another COVID-19 vaccine?’
3. Every childhood vaccine starts with a confident conversation
Among children who have received all vaccines recommended for their age in the National Immunisation Program Schedule, coverage rates have fallen below the aspirational 95% target over the last 3 years.
Pharmacists are an important first point of contact for parents with questions regarding childhood immunisation.
This can range from addressing vaccine hesitancy, explaining the childhood vaccination schedule or discussing catch-up vaccination – pharmacists play an increasingly important role in supporting informed decision-making.
Ms Theophilos suggests that ‘listening first, acknowledging concerns and making a clear recommendation backed by evidence remains one of the most effective approaches’.
At the ‘Confidently vaccinating children’ session this PSA26, Research Fellow and pharmacist, Dr Jeff Wang, will discuss practical communication techniques and evidence-based approaches that help build confidence during conversations with parents and carers.
4. ‘Not just about cervical cancer’: why focusing on other benefits of HPV vaccination could help elimination goal
Australia is on track to become one of the first countries to eliminate cervical cancer.
But adolescent HPV vaccination coverage in Australia has dropped to record lows, falling to 78.7% for girls and 75.6% for boys, threatening Australia’s goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2035.
‘Pharmacists are ideally placed to identify adolescents and young adults who may have missed their school-based vaccinations and to start conversations with parents and families,’ Ms Theophilos said.
‘Importantly, HPV vaccination isn’t just about cervical cancer; it’s about preventing multiple HPV-related conditions in both males and females, including genital warts, anal and oropharyngeal cancers.’
Delivered by Dr Wang, the ‘Cervical cancer and HPV: Where pharmacists can make a difference’ session will examine the ongoing role of HPV vaccination, current recommendations and why pharmacists continue to be important advocates for vaccination across eligible age groups.
It will also explore how pharmacists are critical to improving uptake by identifying vaccination gaps during routine patient interactions.
5. Pharmacists need to recognise new pneumococcal catch-up scenarios
Recent updates to pneumococcal vaccination recommendations have created new opportunities – and queries – for pharmacists.
On 1 July, a new pneumococcal vaccine for adults was added to the NIP to cover more strains of the disease, providing free access to more Australians.
The 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Capvaxive (21vPCV) will be introduced on the NIP, replacing both Prevenar 13 and Pneumovax 23 for adults.
Adults aged 65 and over can access the pneumococcal vaccine through the NIP, which was previously available to people aged 70 and older.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, adults aged 25 years and over are eligible, whereas previously eligibility was provided to adults aged 50 years and older.
‘The adult pneumococcal schedule has changed substantially, making it simpler in many situations but also creating new catch-up scenarios that pharmacists need to recognise,’ Ms Theophilos said. ‘Understanding previous vaccination history and knowing what patients are due for is becoming increasingly important.’
In the ‘What’s new in pneumo’ session, Amanda Van Eldik, Senior Research Officer, NCIRS, will unpack the latest recommendations, explain recent changes to the Australian Immunisation Handbook and NIP, and highlight practical implications for pharmacy vaccination services.
6. The new dengue fever vaccine
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently approved Qdenga (TAK-003) – a two-dose live-attenuated vaccine that protects against all four dengue serotypes – for individuals aged 4 years and older.
The vaccine is primarily intended for Australian travellers visiting endemic, high-risk regions overseas.
Public health medicine specialist, Dr Bob Kass, will unpack the latest on dengue prevention in the session ‘Dengue protection updates! Are you ready?’, equipping PSA26 delegates with the knowledge to identify those most at risk of infection and provide appropriate prevention advice to patients.
‘Regardless of whether your jurisdiction allows administration, pharmacists could receive a script to administer it at some stage – it’s a Schedule 4 medicine,’ Ms Theophilos said. ‘Anticipating that all jurisdictions will eventually align, this is a perfect opportunity to broaden your scope and build confidence in travel vaccines.’
7. Moving from reactive to proactive travel health
When preparing for trips abroad, many Australians focus on managing symptoms rather than preventing disease.
‘One-third of travellers leave the country without a travel health appointment, yet they come into the pharmacy for Gastro-Stop,’ Ms Theophilos said. ‘They anticipate illness, but they’re focusing on reactionary treatment rather than preventative health.’
In the session, ‘Shots before take-off: travel health’, Dr Kass will bring pharmacists up to speed on regulatory updates in their state and territory, while sharing tips on communicating the importance – and timing – of travel vaccination.
Acknowledging that pharmacists can ‘spend ages talking to patients about their gut flora, hydrolyte, or first-aid kits’, she said it’s essential that vaccines are central to these conversations.
‘The best vaccination services don’t rely on patients asking; they proactively identify opportunities. Whether it’s reviewing age, medical history, travel plans or chronic conditions, every patient interaction is a chance to assess vaccination status,’ Ms Theophilos said.
‘The focus isn’t simply on what has changed; it’s on what pharmacists should do differently when they return to practice.’
Registrations for PSA26 are still open. Register here to attend.
