Beginning this week, more than 200 metropolitan community pharmacies in Queensland will now be able to deliver Covid-19 vaccinations.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Queensland Branch’s Acting President Chris Owen welcomes the news saying that it “could have not come at a better time”.
“We’ve had 131 community pharmacies in regional and outer-metro areas rolling out the Covid-19 vaccine,” he says.
“At the end of this week, we should be able to offer access to community members right across Queensland.”
This news comes as the Federal Government and Queensland Government report securing “150,000 extra AstraZeneca doses for community pharmacies”, which, according to Mr Owen, “will hopefully mean everyone who is currently on a waiting list to get their vaccination will now have the opportunity to do so”.
“Rolling out the vaccine to all eligible community pharmacies will prove to be a real game-changer,” says Mr Owen.
“The only way to ensure we can stop these revolving lockdowns is to get as many people as possible vaccinated – community pharmacies are absolutely critical to success here.”
Mr Owen reiterates to the community, the message around vaccines: “If you’re over 18, have a discussion with your community pharmacist about getting the vaccine.”
For those with any reservations about the vaccinations, Mr Owen reassures that community pharmacists “will undertake a health assessment about the risks and benefits of the vaccine”.
“Both the patient and vaccinator need to be satisfied that the benefits outweigh the risks before the vaccination takes place,” says Mr Owen.
Mr Owen adds that in addition to the AstraZeneca vaccines, community pharmacies are expected to begin offering the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in September this year.
For a list of Queensland community pharmacies participating in the Covid-19 vaccination rollout, visit: findapharmacy.com.au/campaigns/qldpharmacy
