Two state governments are allowing pharmacists to administer herpes zoster vaccines, including the live-attenuated vaccine that has been linked with the deaths of three patients with immunocompromise. 

Victorian pharmacists will begin administering Zostavax to patients aged 50 and up this month, with National Immunisation Program (NIP) funding on offer for patients aged 70. 

The guidelines warn pharmacists to refer patients to a doctor if they have a current or recent history of severe immunocompromise or if they are uncertain about the patient’s immunisation status. 

Pharmacists in North Queensland who participate in the Queensland Government’s controversial pharmacy prescribing trial next year will also be allowed to offer both Zostavax and the recombinant subunit vaccine Shingrix, which is not NIP funded.