Pharmacists are on a list of priority patients to be given immunity to swine flu following the approval of a vaccine by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
The medicines regulator approved the registration of CSL's Panvax H1N1 influenza vaccine for use in adults and children 10 years of age and over on Friday.
"The human adult trials have indicated that the pandemic vaccine is similar to that of seasonal influenza vaccine with a high safety and low adverse events profile, and that only one injection is required for adults," a release from the Department of Health and Ageing said.
The TGA has not approved the vaccine for use in children less than 10 years of age, and is awaiting further data from CSL on the results of a paediatric clinical trial currently in progress.
Following the announcement a national vaccination program will begin next week with frontline health workers, pregnant women, indigenous people, those with chronic health and other vulnerable groups the focus of the initial roll-out. The wider population will also be able to access the vaccine.
Health minister Nicola Roxon urged all adults to receive the shot.
"As a vaccine remains our best defence against the pandemic flu, the TGA's decision to approve the vaccine is most welcome," she said.
"As there is enough vaccine for all adults, I encourage people to protect themselves and their families against the pandemic flu by getting vaccinated."
The Rudd Government has purchased 21 million doses of the vaccine. State health authorities will begin delivery to immunisation providers including hospitals and GPs next week.
In Australia the pandemic flu has been associated with thousands of hospitalisations and 172 deaths. Worldwide there have been more than 3,500 deaths associated with this flu strain.
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