Give Pharmacists Access To Influenza Vaccine To Handle Surge In Cases Group

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The Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) has proposed that access to the influenza vaccine be expanded nationwide and that trained pharmacists be given full authority to implement community vaccination programmes.
MPS said the move is to curb the increase in infection cases in schools and reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments.
MPS president Amrahi Buang said the initiative is important to protect high-risk groups, maintain continuity of teaching in schools and ensure the health system remains resilient in the face of a surge in infectious disease cases.
“We can ease pressure on our Emergency Departments while protecting those most at risk.
“By fully authorising trained pharmacists as vaccination providers, working alongside our medical and nursing colleagues and by routing mild ILI (Influenza-Like Illness) to primary care, we add capacity where Malaysians live and work, without compromising safety,” he said in a statement today.
MPS recommends that trained community pharmacists be given continued authorisation to administer adult vaccines, including influenza, pneumococcal, Covid-19 booster and Td/Tdap, in accordance with the standards and SOPs of the Health Ministry.
The association also recommends the implementation of a “test-to-treat” primary care initiative, as well as the issuance of standard school circulars on symptom screening, wearing of face masks when symptomatic, ventilation and a 24-hour fever-free period before returning to school.
The measure, according to MPS, is not just a temporary response but part of a broader strategy for long-term prevention.
"This is about readiness and continuity. More vaccination points in the community, consistent school protections, and one safety standard for anyone who vaccinates, these are practical steps we can maintain beyond this wave, so families get timely protection and hospitals stay available for emergencies,” he said.
According to MPS, these measures have been successfully implemented in several regional countries. Singapore, for example, launched an influenza vaccination initiative by community pharmacists in 2024, and as of July 2025, more than 1,200 individuals have received the vaccine at retail pharmacies.
In the Philippines, pharmacists are legally authorised to administer adult vaccines, including influenza and pneumococcal, under the Philippine Pharmacy Act (RA 10918).
In addition, MPS also urged the government to publish weekly dashboards on vaccination rates, influenza clusters and severe acute respiratory infections to assist in the effective distribution of public information and management of health resources.
- Bernama

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