Objectives and importance of study Pharmacist-administered vaccinations improve access and coverage globally, including in Australia; however, a nationally harmonised regulatory framework is lacking. This review compares policies and legal frameworks for pharmacist-administered vaccinations to children and adolescents across Australian jurisdictions, identifying areas for improvement nationally and internationally. Study type Narrative review. Methods Policies and legislation on pharmacist-administered vaccination were compared using three priority themes consistent with the Australian Scope of Practice Review: legislation and regulation, funding and payment policy, and workforce design, development, education and planning. Peer-reviewed and grey literature were included, including guidelines, policy frameworks, standards, and legislation published or observed up to 22 March 2026, with no start date restrictions. Websites of pharmacy organisations, health departments and vaccination programs relevant to pharmacist-administered vaccinations for children and adolescents in Australia were searched. Results Policies for pharmacist-administered vaccinations vary across jurisdictions. Legislation and regulation: Queensland and South Australia allow vaccinations for all age groups. The Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia permit vaccination from 5 years of age, with influenza vaccination permitted from 2 years, whereas the Northern Territory and Victoria restrict all vaccinations, including influenza, to children aged ≥5 years. Funding and payment policy: despite the National Immunisation Program, state-funded programs differ in vaccine coverage and eligibility, with out-of-pocket costs for non-National Immunisation Program vaccine administration. Workforce design, development, education and planning: training requirements align nationally, but workforce development and integration into public health initiatives differ by jurisdiction. Conclusions The evolution of pharmacist-administered vaccination in Australia highlights the need for consistent regulations, funding models, and workforce integration to ensure safe and accessible services. These findings can inform policymakers where pharmacist-led vaccination is emerging, emphasising collaboration with healthcare professionals and pharmacy organisations to improve vaccination rates among children and adolescents.
Sendekie et al. (Mon,) studied this question.