From January 2019, pharmacists who undertake an approved course can give diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) shots and measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), as well as flu shots.

Expectant mum Monika Belfield said expanding the vaccinations on offer from pharmacists is a “fantastic idea.”

“As a soon to be new mum I think this will benefit my family greatly,” she said.

“It will make it easier for my wider family to get the whooping cough vaccination before they come and visit the new baby.

“It will be more cost-effective for all families and new mothers especially because the added cost of a visit to the doctor will be taken away; we will only have to pay for the jab.”

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Blooms Chemists’ Ray Masters said the local pharmacist is often more accessible than doctors, so it makes sense to allow them to provide more than just the flu vaccine.

“These reforms will not only make getting vaccinated easier for the public it will take pressure off doctor surgeries in town,” he said.

“The benefit to the community, just like the flu shot, is that the more people that get immunised, the better it is for everyone.

“For example, with whooping cough, the entire family will now be able to be vaccinated which will protect any newborn baby, that will have a positive health impact for the wider community.”

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Mr Masters said Dubbo pharmacists would have no problem handling the extra work. 

“We will be able to handle the extra influx of people because this won’t start until January next year, so we will be well prepared by then,” he said.

The expansion moves NSW in line with other states and territories, including Queensland and Victoria, that have expanded the range of vaccines pharmacists can administer.

The age of eligibility for patients will drop to 16 years. Currently, pharmacists can only offer seasonal flu vaccines to people over the age of 18.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said allowing specially-trained pharmacists to deliver the jabs should also mean more people get immunised before travelling overseas.

“Australia has wiped out measles and the only reported cases are from unvaccinated people who acquire it overseas and then infect others locally,” he said.

People eligible for free government-funded vaccines will still need to get vaccinated at their GP, so they can receive a health assessment.