Today’s correspondent says:

I am currently a paramedic in NSW whose about to be employed by a Medical Centre, part of the duties discussed would be immunisations. I have searched and found no evidence that paramedics cannot immunise, however no information supporting NSW paramedic immunising. AHPRA states paramedics can if appropriately trained and have relevant authority. The authority for NSW does not mention paramedics. Legally can I practice under a GP in this setting, or do I need to seek authority from NSW? 

I have asked a similar question for paramedics in Queensland and Western Australia – see:

If the medical practitioner is prescribing the immunisation for the patient, then a paramedic can assist by giving the injection as anyone can assist a person to take medication that has been prescribed for them (Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 (NSW) s 16(d1)).

A paramedic cannot give vaccinations without the patient obtaining a prescription from a doctor then the matter is more complex.  The Chief Health Officer has given authority to appropriately trained nurses and midwives who have completed appropriate programs of training – see Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 – AUTHORITY Supply of poisons and restricted substances (28/10/2022).  There are also details on the authority of pharmacists – NSW Pharmacist Vaccination Standards (11/11/2022).

The pharmacist standard talks about ‘A registered pharmacist initiating and administering a vaccine under his/her own authority…’.  The relevant authority is the key issue. Where for example there is an immunisation clinic where people attend, are examined and immunised, then the person making the decision to administer the vaccine, and responsible for the vaccinations safe storage must be a medical practitioner or an authorised nurse, midwife or pharmacist. 

If the person comes to a medical practice, sees the doctor who confirms that a vaccination is in order, and where it is the doctor who is in possession of the immunisations and responsible for their storage etc then it is the doctor’s authority that is relevant. If the doctor asks the practice nurse or the practice paramedic, to administer the medication that the doctor has prescribed then it is the doctor who is ‘immunising’ the patient even if the practice paramedic provides the hands that actually administer the injection.  The employing medical practitioner and the paramedic would however both need to be satisfied that the paramedic had sufficient training to know what needs to be known to safely administer the immunisations.

This blog is made possible with generous financial support from the Australasian College of Paramedicine, the Australian Paramedics Association (NSW), Natural Hazards Research Australia, NSW Rural Fire Service Association and the NSW SES Volunteers Association. I am responsible for the content in this post including any errors or omissions. Any opinions expressed are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or understanding of the donors.