The Government of Yukon is committed to transforming the health and social system to put people first. Keeping with this commitment, pharmacists in the Yukon are now authorized to prescribe and administer travel and publicly-funded vaccines for Yukoners who are aged 5 and over.
The Government of Yukon temporarily expanded pharmacists’ scope of practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, first in May 2020 and then again in February 2022. These measures are now permanent.
Participating pharmacists must complete mandatory training before ordering or administering publicly-funded vaccines. This training is provided by the Yukon Immunization Program and ensures pharmacists have the knowledge to provide safe and effective vaccination services. Similar programs launched in other Canadian jurisdictions have proved to be both safe and effective.
Four local pharmacists have completed the mandatory training.
Yukon pharmacies offer vaccines by appointment only. For more information, Yukoners are encouraged to contact their local pharmacy or visit Yukon.ca.
As we work towards a more holistic, collaborative and preventive health care system, we value the contributions of pharmacists in promoting the health and wellbeing of all Yukoners. The expansion of the scope of practice for pharmacists is a vital aspect of our government’s work to continue to transform our healthcare system into a national leader. This service improves convenience for Yukoners, increases access to health care and alleviates pressures on emergency rooms and doctors offices. Thank you to Yukon pharmacists for your clinical expertise and training and expanding your practice to serve Yukoners.
Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee
Pharmacists are important partners in our territory’s increasingly integrated and collaborative health care system. These extended services are the second phase of the rollout of the Pharmacists Regulation under the Health Professions Act. The new regulations establish clearer licensing standards for pharmacists, as well as clearer standards for their practice. In addition to their ability to extend, alter, and substitute prescription medications under certain circumstances, pharmacists can now also choose to offer vaccines. Overall, the territory’s pharmacists can now provide Yukoners with increased services.
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn
Pharmacists can obtain publicly-funded vaccines from the Yukon Immunization Program and access travel vaccines or non-publicly funded vaccines independently.
Pharmacists working at Medicine Chest Ogilvie, Shoppers – Qwanlin Mall, Shoppers – Main Street Shopping Centre and Real Canadian Superstore have received the necessary training thus far.
Pharmacists are encouraged to direct childhood immunizations requiring physical health checks to local health centres. Pharmacists may administer travel vaccines for children with consent and defer the physical health checks to the health centre.
If you are a pharmacist interested in administering vaccines at your pharmacy, please contact immunizationtraining@yukon.ca
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Kate Erwin
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-334-9269
kate.erwin@yukon.ca