Greater flu vaccine access for NSW

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley has announced a plan to increase access to flu vaccines, but the state government says Labor is playing catch-up.

NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley has outlined a plan to allow trained pharmacists to administer flu shots.

The pharmacists would be allowed to deliver influenza vaccinations to healthy people aged between 18 and 65 for a standard charge.

"This is a new approach. It is a practical and sensible approach to reducing health costs and protecting the community," Mr Foley said in a statement on Sunday.

Under the plan, pharmacists administering vaccinations will be required to complete a two-day training course accredited by NSW Health.

But the state's health minister Jillian Skinner says the opposition is simply playing catch-up.

"This is coalition policy," Ms Skinner said.

"We've been working with the Pharmacy Board of Australia and peak pharmacy organisations regarding accreditation... (and) training courses have now been developed."

Ms Skinner said she hoped increasing access to the vaccine would reduce the burden on NSW hospitals during peak winter periods.