In an important step towards maximising Covid-19 immunisation rates across all of Australia, Boonah Pharmacy in Queensland has today [7 June 2021] become the first community pharmacy in Australia to deliver the first Covid-19 vaccination.
“This is a watershed moment in helping to maximise the uptake of Covid-19 vaccinations in Australia,” says National President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Trent Twomey.
“Pharmacists are the most accessible of all healthcare professionals and among the most trusted.
“In addition, community pharmacies offer the community the facility for patients to organise to have their vaccinations at times when other vaccination hubs may not be operating.
“Many community pharmacies are open after normal business hours during the week and during the weekend. Clearly, this makes it far more convenient for patients to be able to get their vaccinations,” he says.
“Extreme confidence in pharmacy vaccination”
As the first person to have the Covid-19 vaccination in the pharmacy at Boonah this morning, Suzanne Greenwood, Executive Director of the Guild, says that “knowing the training pharmacists have undergone and the stringent approval process gave me extreme confidence in having my vaccination delivered at a community pharmacy”.
“I am also extremely pleased to have had my vaccination at Boonah Pharmacy because this is where my grandfather was born and we have long and cherished connections with this area,” she adds.
Confidence in community pharmacy
Mr Twomey thanks the Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt and the Government for the confidence shown in the ability of community pharmacies to help boost vaccination rates across the nation.
He also thanks Wright MP, Scott Buchholz, and Federal Regional Health Minister, Mark Coulton, for their support in ensuring community pharmacies were now being given a pivotal role in protecting Australians against the virus.
“With the community pharmacy network extending into areas where at times the pharmacist is the only healthcare professional available, it is clear that this is a major step forward in achieving maximum uptake of vaccinations,” says Mr Twomey.
