PPP 197 - The Point of Injection with Anna Theophilos
In this episode, Kristin sits down with Melbourne-based community pharmacist Anna Theophilos, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's inaugural Vaccination Ambassador, for a deep dive into the world of pharmacist-led injectable medicines administration.
Anna brings her expertise on everything from injection technique to patient hesitancy, offering practical insight for pharmacists looking to build confidence and consistency in this growing area of practice.
In this episode, Kristin and Anna discuss:
The role of pharmacists and the pharmacy workforce in facilitating injectable medicines administration — whether that's giving injections directly or supporting patients to safely self-administer
Where the current gaps are, and what the safety data actually tells us
Addressing vaccine hesitancy and the pharmacist's role in administering vaccines and other injectables
Making the most of opportunistic travel health consultations, including on-the-spot vaccination
Demystifying injection technique and equipment selection — getting the medicine where it needs to go for the patient in front of you
Supporting patients before and after administration
The opportunity to create a more consistent vaccination experience across pharmacies nationwide
Managing and preventing vaccine administration-related adverse effects
Navigating vaccination schedules and planning for multiple vaccines on the same day, plus reliable (and reassuring) sources of information
Approaching challenging conversations around safe injectable use by staying patient-centred, curious, and non-judgemental
Connect with Anna:
Follow Anna on Instagram: @thevaccinationpharmacist
