Changes in the province’s pharmacy regulations come into play tomorrow.

They allow pharmacists to prescribe for Hepatitis A and B, shingles, HPV and chickenpox.

That will help to free up physicians for other matters. The province advises patients to contact their pharmacist in advance, as pharmacies may charge a fee to provide those services in addition to the cost of vaccination.

Private insurance companies may provide coverage for the cost of vaccines.

The new amendments do not affect the publicly-funded immunization program for school-aged children for HPV and chickenpox which are offered for free.