Further to our story regarding the winter booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia also welcomes the decision by ATAGI to lift the eligibility for Covid-19 vaccination winter boosters.
Acting National President of the Guild, Nick Panayiaris, says the decision to lift the Covid-19 booster vaccine eligibility will help manage the current rise in people contracting the virus.
“This is a pragmatic decision and one which the community pharmacy sector stands ready to help eligible patients take advantage of,” says Mr Panayiaris.
“Community pharmacies already have administered more than 7.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines and this is a reflection of the trust communities across Australia have in their local pharmacy.
“Most pharmacies also are open longer hours and at weekends so patients can easily access the vaccine.
“There are 6000 community pharmacies in Australia and in capital cities, 97% of people have access to at least one pharmacy within a 2.5km radius, while in the rest of Australia 66 per cent of people are within 2.5km of a pharmacy.
“This access is critical in helping Australia achieve maximum uptake of the winter booster under the new arrangements.”
The new arrangements for the winter booster are:
- Adults aged 50 to 64 years are now recommended to receive a winter booster dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
- Adults aged 30 to 49 years can elect to receive a winter booster dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, however, the benefit for people in this age group is less certain.
- The interval recommended between the first booster dose (or recent COVID-19 infection) and a winter booster dose is now 3 months.
ATAGI emphasises that people previously eligible for a winter booster dose remain at higher risk of severe disease and death from Covid-19 and should receive a winter booster dose as soon as possible.
They include:
- All adults aged 65 years or older.
- Residents of aged care or disability care facilities.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years or older.
- People who are severely immunocompromised (this will be their 5th dose).
- People aged 16 years or older with a medical condition that increases the risk of severe Covid-19 illness.
- People aged 16 years or older with a disability, significant or complex health needs, or multiple comorbidities, which increase the risk of a poor outcome.
Mr Panayiaris says the new arrangement will come into effect on Monday 11 July but eligible patients could get their booster earlier if they booked.
“I recommend people go to findapharmacy.com.au or contact their local pharmacy to make a booking and get their winter booster as soon as possible.”
