Vaccination on the rise under Labor

Locals have thrown their support behind Labor's announcement that healthy adults aged between 18 and 65 would be eligible for a standard-cost flu vaccine from pharmacies, under a visionary idea that aims to boost local vaccination rates.

"It relieves the pressure off doctors, reduces congestion and allows people to get the same services for a cheaper price," Wagga's Cincotta Discount Chemist pharmacist Sunny Singh said.

"It's a better health service at the end of the day and that's why we're here."

Under the policy, pharmacists would complete a two-day training course accredited by NSW Health and secure professional indemnity insurance with a private consultation area on their premises.

Mr Singh backed the policy that would relieve doctors and improve patron accessibility to health services in under-resourced rural areas.

"There is a lack of health services in rural communities," he said.

"There's definitely a need for it.

"It's a very time -onscious solution.

"You can get the script, come to the pharmacy and have it administered."

Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia have been granted varying dispensing rights to pharmacists after the Pharmacy Board of Australia affirmed the administration of vaccines to be within the scope of pharmacy practice in December 2013.

"It would be good if we received the same support from the government," Mr Singh said.

"It's not about the budget, it's about the services."

Tiffany Black welcomed the idea in NSW given the program's success in her home country England.

"It's just easier, more cost efficient and not wasting doctor's time," she said.

Wagga's Carmel Teale also backed the policy, citing convenience.

"(Parents and children) can come to the one spot and have it all done," she said.

"It's less traumatic."

James Nolan questioned whether pharmacists could deliver the same level of service as doctors, which could potentially deny patrons a Medicare rebate.

Labor candidate for Wagga Dan Hayes believed the policy would improve vaccination rates across the state.

"Influenza is a public health risk - and we need to get more people in Wagga vaccinated," Mr Hayes said.

"Trained pharmacists offer a safe, convenient and cost-effective way to achieve the outcome."

Labor's policy will complement the free flu vaccines that already exist under the National Immunisation Program provided by general practitioners to high-risk groups.

"It's a much smarter way to reduce doctor visits and control public health expenditure than the Tony Abbott GP tax," Mr Hayes said.