Millions of Australians will be able to get vaccinated for free, without any administration fees, from community pharmacies starting next week.
From January 1, patients will no longer have to pay an administration fee under changes to the federal government's National Immunisation Program (NIP).
The changes will also save patients time and money associated with visiting their general practitioner.
President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Trent Twomey, said the scheme will help free up pressure on general practices.
"This is great news for Australians, great news for Australian families, which means they no longer have to wait up to four days in a capital city or even four weeks in regional areas to secure an appointment with their general practitioner," he said.
Eligible patients will be able to access any vaccination under the NIP at around 6000 community pharmacies across the country.
"Even though Australians have been able to get their vaccinations from their local pharmacy for some time, there has always been an out-of-pocket expense when they ask their pharmacist as opposed to their GP," he said.
"You now have that extra choice to ask your pharmacist for vaccinations."
The latest COVID-19 strain spreading across the world
Professor Twomey said the move simply gives patients more choice.
"There is no wrong door," he said.
"You can continue, if you wish, to see your doctor but you now have that extra choice to be able to ask your community pharmacist for more vaccinations from January 1."
