On Sunday Mr Foley announced that a Labor government would allow - for the first time - properly trained pharmacists to deliver the vaccinations to people aged between 18 and 65 for a standard charge. Currently in NSW, only doctors and nurses can administer flu immunisations.

"This is great news for residents right across the Illawarra who will now be able to save time and avoid a visit to a GP by simply accessing a trained pharmacist to deliver the very successful influenza vaccination," Mr Park said.

"We know just how important the flu vaccination is, with research indicating it is around 90 per cent effective in preventing people getting the flu and under this plan it will be even easier for people to get protected."

Under Labor's plan, all pharmacists administering vaccinations would be required to complete a two-day training course accredited by NSW Health.

This would include first aid, CPR and administration of adrenalin and managing anaphylaxis.

"This is great news for residents but it is also great news for our economy because we know that each and every year the flu virus costs billions of dollars in lost productivity and it will also help to lower health costs as we prevent people from having to go to hospital for the illness," Mr Park said.

Mr Foley said pharmacists offered a safe, convenient and cost-effective way of administering adult vaccines.

"This is a new approach. It is a practical and sensible approach to reducing health costs and protecting the community," he said.

"Overseas studies have found that pharmacist-provided vaccinations were effective in targeting men who did not usually take the preventative measure."

Nationally, influenza accounts for 18,404 hospitalisations and up to 3457 deaths a year.

lwachsmuth@fairfaxmedia.com.au