Trial of Queensland pharmacists giving flu shots to go ahead, despite protest by doctors Pharmacists in Cairns will be giving flu shots these season. Picture: Getty Images/AFP Source: AFP CAIRNS pharmacists will be administering influenza vaccinations from April 1 as part of a new pilot program to help boost immunisation rates and bring down costs. The trial, which was recently given the nod by Queensland Health, has angered the Australian Medical Association (AMA) which claims the practice could put patients at risk. Queensland president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Professor Lisa Nissen, told the The Cairns Post expressions of interest would be open to Cairns and Far Northern pharmacies within the coming weeks as part of a state-wide program aiming to introduce vaccinations before the start of the 2014 flu season. She said the society would train selected pharmacists to administer vaccines prior to the April 1 start date. "The fee for the service in the pilot program will be between $25 and $30," she said. It's all inclusive, you are getting the consultation, administration and the actual vaccine. Would you go to the chemist to get your flu jab? Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said that flu shots being offered at a local pharmacy would reduce demand on the health system and boost immunisation rates to 95 per cent. Australian Medical Association (AMA) president Dr Steve Hambleton he was concerned about patient safety. "Pharmacies have no proven record that they are safe or appropriate locations for such a private and potentially risky clinical procedure as vaccination," he said. The AMA believes that general practice is the appropriate location for vaccination, with the procedure conducted by a highly-trained and accredited GP or by an appropriately trained and qualified general practice nurse under the supervision of a GP. Queensland president of the Pharmacy Guild, Tim Logan said researchers at James Cook University and Queensland University of Technology were involved in the program. "Through our collaboration with the universities we will be able to collect the essential evidence to enable us to evaluate the role of pharmacist immunisation services," he said. This is an academically-designed trial so participants will be targeted to fit certain criteria to ensure the scientific robustness of the analysis of results. The Queensland Pharmacist Immunisation Pilot will target people aged over the age of 18 who are not covered by the National Immunisation Program.