The Pharmacy Guild of Australia welcomes the confirmation that community pharmacies are expected to begin receiving supplies of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine from Wednesday this week.
According to Northern Territory Branch Director of the Guild, Judith Oliver the arrival of the vaccine in pharmacy will give Australians across the country greater access to protection against Covid-19.
“The Moderna vaccine has been approved for people aged 12 and above and so its availability greatly broadens the range of people who can be vaccinated” says Ms Oliver.
“With the arrival of the Moderna vaccine all adolescents and adults can be covered.
“Increasingly we are seeing evidence of younger people being affected by the Delta strain of Covid-19, so it is imperative that this age group is protected along with the rest of the community throughout Northern Territory.
“Eligible community pharmacies across the NT will begin administering the Moderna vaccine as soon as the staged supplies are delivered.
“Approximately half of the NT’s community pharmacies are participating in the Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout and will begin receiving regular supplies from this week.
“Importantly the availability of the Moderna vaccine means there are now two mRNA vaccines available in Australia – Moderna and Pfizer.”
Peter Hatswell NT Pharmacy Guild Branch President says that the Moderna vaccine has similar efficacy and safety profiles to the Pfizer vaccine.
“Significantly for patients in Northern Territory, the accessibility of their local community pharmacies means they have plenty of opportunities to get their vaccine when it is convenient for them,” says Mr Hatswell.
“Pharmacies are open earlier, later and longer than other vaccination points and so there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to get their Modera vaccine at a time and place that suits.
“Pharmacies have helped get the vaccine rollout back on track and will now be able to further consolidate that rollout with the Moderna vaccine.”
Peter Hatswell says people can book online or call their pharmacy to arrange a time.
To see which pharmacies are providing vaccinations, visit: findapharmacy.com.au.
