THE Malaysian Pharmacists Society (MPS) has called on health authorities to expand access to the influenza vaccine by granting trained pharmacists full authorisation to conduct vaccination programmes nationwide.
The appeal comes in response to a recent rise in influenza cases, particularly in schools, which has placed mounting strain on hospital emergency departments.
“We can ease pressure on our Emergency Departments while protecting those most at risk,” said MPS president Professor Amrahi Buang (pic) in a statement today.
“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 added.
MPS proposes that pharmacists be authorised not only for influenza vaccines, but also for adult immunisations including pneumococcal, COVID-19 boosters and Td/Tdap, in line with Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) protocols.
The Society further recommends introducing a ‘test-to-treat’ initiative at the primary care level and issuing standard school circulars on symptom screening, mask-wearing when symptomatic, ensuring good ventilation, and maintaining a 24-hour fever-free period before returning to school.
“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,” said Amrahi.
He noted that similar models have already been adopted successfully in neighbouring countries. In Singapore, for example, a community pharmacy influenza vaccination programme launched in 2024 has seen over 1,200 individuals vaccinated at retail outlets as of July 2025.
In the Philippines, adult vaccines such as influenza and pneumococcal are administered legally by pharmacists under the Philippine Pharmacy Act (RA 10918).
To support informed decision-making and efficient resource management, MPS also urged the government to publish weekly dashboards tracking vaccination uptake, influenza clusters and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI). - October 15, 2025
