The province announced Monday that pharmacists will be able to administer six additional publicly funded vaccines beginning in July 2026. The expanded list includes vaccines for tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria, pneumococcal disease, RSV and shingles.
Currently, many of those vaccines are typically available only through family doctors, walk in clinics or other clinical settings.
Ontario is also expanding the list of common ailments pharmacists can assess and prescribe treatment for.
Starting next summer, pharmacists will be able to treat calluses and corns, dandruff, dry eye, head lice, jock itch, mild headaches, nasal congestion, ringworm and warts.
The province says the changes are designed to improve access to convenient care while reducing pressure on doctors’ offices and emergency departments.
Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sylvia Jones says the expansion will allow more Ontarians to receive care closer to home.
Ontario launched pharmacist prescribing for common ailments in January 2023 with an initial list of 13 conditions before expanding the program later that year.
According to the province, pharmacies across Ontario have already completed more than 2.4 million assessments for common ailments, with more than 99 per cent of pharmacies participating in the program.
The government says up to five more ailments could be added to the prescribing list in early 2027.
The province is also directing several health professional regulatory colleges to begin developing frameworks for future scope of practice expansions involving professions including physiotherapists, optometrists, chiropractors and dental hygienists.
Written by Joseph Goden
